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Exciting news from the TFDi Design team, as they have set an initial release window for their highly anticipated MD-11. The MD-11 Collectors Edition, featuring both the passenger and freighter version of the aircraft as well as the limited edition Extended Range variant, is set to release sometime in October. The TFDi Design website currently lists October 16 as a target date for the aircraft. After the release of the Collectors Edition, it will take some time for the aircraft to enter its next phase; Early Access. In the Early Access phase the aircraft will be available to a larger audience as the team fixes issues with the plane based on feedback from its users. No date for this has been set yet. The following phases of the plane are 'Feature Complete' and 'Delivery', but these just remain speculation for now. The status page of TFDi Design's MD-11 is showing the plane nearing completion as well, with many of the development areas showing advanced progress. We last heard from TFDi Design about the MD-11 in July when they gave us a large update on how progress is going. We'll keep you up-to-date as more information about TFDi Design's MD-11 release is coming closer. If you want to learn more about the TFDi MD-11, then you can check out our interview with them from FlightSimExpo 2023.
On the 28th of October 2023, thousands of virtual pilots will be crossing the Atlantic Ocean for VATSIM's bi-annual Cross the Pond event. For those unaware, Cross the Pond is the world's biggest online flight simulation event run by VATSIM, an online air traffic network. Pilots are invited to cross the Atlantic Ocean with full air traffic control coverage throughout the journey via one of the North Atlantic Tracks (NAT-Tracks). The event runs twice a year, with a westbound leg in April preceding an eastbound leg in October. As per tradition, pilots and controllers have the ability to vote on the airports that will be a part of the event. Those who want to vote will be able to put their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice, with each vote being allocating point amounts. Those votes are then tallied up before the final airport selection is made. Event airports are those that are fully staffed for the duration of the event. As for the airports you can then vote on, below is the list of airports on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Here are the Americas selection: Halifax Stanfield International Airport - YHZ/CYHZ Winnipeg International - YWG/CYWG Toronto Pearson - YYZ/CYYZ Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport - ATL/KATL Boston Logan Intl - BOS/KBOS Charlotte-Douglas International Airport - CLT/KCLT Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport - CVG/KCVG Indianapolis International Airport - IND/KIND John F. Kennedy International - JFK/KJFK Orlando International Airport - MCO/KMCO Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport - SDF/KSDF Punta Cana International Airport - PUJ/MDPC Sangster International Airport - MBJ/MKJS José Martí International Airport - HAV/MUHA Lynden Pindling International Airport - NAS/MYNN Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek - Brasília - BSB/SBBR El Dorado International Airport - BOG/SKBO Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport - SJU/TJSJ Princess Juliana International Airport - SXM/TNCM And here is the European selection: Felix Houphouet Boigny Intl - ABJ/DIAP Tunis-Carthage - TUN/DTTA Brussels Zaventem Airport - BRU/EBBR Frankfurt am Main - FRA/EDDF Helsinki Vantaa - HEL/EFHK London Heathrow - LHR/EGLL Amsterdam Airport Schiphol - AMS/EHAM Stockholm Arlanda - ARN/ESSA Riga International Airport - RIX/EVRA Cape Town Intl - CPT/FACT 4th Of February - LAD/FNLU Mohammed V - CMN/GMMN Blaise Diagne Intl - DSS/GOBD Roma Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci - FCO/LIRF Vienna International Airport - VIE/LOWW Belgrade Nikola Tesla - BEG/LYBE Voting closes on 16th September (Saturday) at 2000 UTC. You can place your vote on the VATSIM CTP website. Do you want to learn more about Cross the Pond and how the team put it on? Check out our Behind the Scene editorial where we spoke to them about last year's event.
Want something a bit different in your flight simulator this week? Then perhaps the LivToAir Aeromobil 3.0 is what you're after. The new Flying Car product is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Aeromobil 3.0 was originally designed and manufactured by Slovakian company Aeromobil and was first unveiled in 2014. It flew in October 2014 and was powered by a Rotax 912S engine, with a carbon fibre structure. However, its fate was sealed when it crashed in May 2015. But you can make sure it doesn't happen in the simulator. Developer LivToAir has developed the flying car with a foldable wing system, working circuit breakers and a high-quality 3D model. It works both on the ground and in the air as their respective vehicle types. You can see the video above to see it in action. If you fancy flying a car around Microsoft Flight Simulator, you can pick up LivToAir Aeromobil 3.0 from SIMMARKET for €19.99 (excluding taxes). Features Foldable Wings System Working Drive And Flight Modes Working circuit Breakers High Quality 3D Model + Textures. Custom Sounds Realistic Refueling And Defueling system with a Fuel Truck Highly Detailed EFB Detailed Manual
Scenery developer Pilot Experience Sim is working alongside iniBuilds with the promotion of their upcoming Brest-Bretagne Airport (LFRB) on Microsoft Flight Simulator. Brest-Bretagne Airport, situated in the commune of Guipavas, 10km northeast of Brest in the Finistère department of Brittany, is a prominent French international airport. It holds the distinction of being the Brittany region's most significant airport in terms of passenger volume. In December 2012, it achieved a noteworthy milestone by exceeding one million passengers for the first time in its history. Along with a new trailer, we also know that the product will be an accurate rendition of the real-world airport. It comes with a completely custom set of buildings, all of which are textured to the highest level. Furthermore, there is custom ground poly throughout, the use of custom dynamic spotlights, an accurate airport layout, and much more. Pilot Experience Sim will also include a custom GSX profile, alongside providing updates via their online tool to make it simple and easy for customers. The scenery will launch exclusively on the iniBuilds store for the first 2-weeks of sale and will later become available on other stores. Pilot Experience Sim's Brest-Bretagne is available for £12.79 from the iniBuilds Store. Features Realistic airport representation in 2023 Full custom HD design (handmade) 100% PBR ultra Realistic HD modelization of all buildings Realistic terrain profile Custom accurate runway profile New AFCAD 2023 Included custom jetways Included 3D people Custom ground poly using new FS20 tools and custom textures HD PBR textures Included PBR transparent windows Included ultra detailed interiors Included PBR static custom airport vehicles Included Custom PBR dynamic wig wag lights Added night textures Added dynamic custom spot lights Added custom library objects Included custom runway lights and HIALS Replaced Windsocks All car parking and internal roads designed Included custom GSX pro profile Online updates (PESIM Central linked)
In an effort to continue providing service updates to its range of aircraft, Just Flight has released a new update for its 146 Professional on Microsoft Flight Simulator. The version 1.10 update is in your accounts and can be downloaded now. The BAe 146 Professional was released back in April and was met with positivity from the community. Since then a few updates for the plane have been released, but this new build adds a host of new features. One particularly exciting feature is a new weather radar has been added. There have also been a number of fixes within the EFB, along with updating the interactive checklists. Various lighting effects have also been adjusted to better match the real-world aircraft. For those of you waiting on the UNS-1 FMS, the team said that they are working on a few bug fixes, additional features and general development capacity has meant there has been a delay in releasing this. However, they are aiming to have a release candidate build in the next week, so they will be in a better position to share details soon. If you haven't already picked up a copy, you can do so from Just Flight's website for £52.49. Changelog EFB random failures only triggering when the failure menu is open - fixed Weather radar added Cruise speed (KTAS) shown in menus is now correct Unable to cancel MWS attention getters during MWS test - fixed Updated interactive checklists Configuration warning no longer requires aileron trim to be exactly neutral TMS failure annunciator on MWS now illuminates during MWS test EFB aircraft page text fields sometimes blank when inputting values - fixed EFB METAR error - fixed EFB brightness setting is now restored whenever the EFB is switched off and back on TMS panel selectors now rotate in correct direction when using a controller Flap lever now works correctly when using a controller Upper and lower beacon lights now flash at different rates, like on the real aircraft Landing, taxi, wing and logo light colours tweaked for better match to real aircraft Minor livery fixes
If exploring New Zealand sounds exciting to you, then NZA Simulations has you covered with their upcoming release of Milford Sound Region for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The new product is part of their 'Proline' series as it includes more than just the airport, but also nearby surroundings. Milford Sound Airport (NZMF) is a small regional airport located in the South Island of New Zealand. It is situated near the famous Milford Sound, a breathtaking fjord known for its stunning natural beauty and majestic landscapes. Various regional airlines visit the airport including Air Milford, Aspiring Air, and also various charter airlines that take passengers on views of the local mountains. The coverage for this product is massive, coming in at a total of 2,900 km². Across this, you will find 8 different airstrips, including the famous Milford Sound airport. There are various helipads, points of interests, huts, and hidden gems throughout. You can see the map below for full coverage. In addition to releasing Proline NZMF - Milford Sound Region, NZA Simulations will also release a free Milford Sound Region Expansion from their website. This adds additional locations in the greater Fiordland area. It does require the region pack in order to work. NZA Simulations confirmed that their Proline NZMF - Milford Sound Region will release on 13th September 2023 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Features 8 airstrips are included in this Milford Sound Region Add-on with attention to detail in every location NZMF Milford Sound - main airport for local tourist activity. Most tourist movements in NZ NZQU Big Bay Beach Strip - Local bush strip NZ31 Cascade Lagoon Airstrip - Access to the lodge for visitors NZ32 Hope River Airstrip- Local bush strip NZ34 Hollyford Track Airstrip- Local bush strip NZ35 Cascade Station Airstrip- Local access to the station T004 Quintin Lodge Airstrip - Access to the lodge for visitors Multiple Helipads at various huts Hidden adventure locations - HINT turn on POI's to help find them all Fully 3D modeled interior of the Ferry Terminal building and Underwater Observatory. Fully 3D modeled interior of Airport buildings and hangars. Many hut locations throughout the scenery. (See Map) Many Points of interest. 76 Animated custom watercraft. Animated animal and bird life throughout. Airport area biome enhancements to recreate the environment to match the look and feel of real life. Custom water masking. Retouched mountain textures. Custom fjord sea cliffs and beach heads. Animated rivers and waterfalls through the fjord and beyond.
A brand new 'Scene' by Parallel 42 has been released for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The team is back in California and they have poured "passion and soul into crafting an experience that captures the essence of this region." The scene has been created to give bush pilots a fun and challenging experience in the backcountry of Northern California. The small scenery product includes a whole host of details such as animated animals, 3D people and plenty of ground objects to immerse you fully into the experience. There are a bunch of amenities that serve well for having fun with friends at this small airfield. There are plenty of small details throughout the scene that will keep you exploring for time to come. It is also close to other Parallel 42 scene products. On social media, Edson from Parallel 42 said, "while we bid adieu to Northern California, know that this is just the beginning of our journey. We're excited to spread our wings and take off to a new area, crafting even more remarkable experiences for backcountry enthusiasts around the world." No doubt more scene products will come in due course. If you want to pick up Sunset Strip (42SS), then you can grab a copy from the Parallel 42 website for $10.00 USD. For more on Parallel 42, check out the announcement about a new immersion effects product in the works for Microsoft Flight Simulator, or their Flow Pro add-on. We are still also waiting on their Juice Goose - a drivable buggy in MSFS. Features Runways: 1x 492ft dirt strip, no maintenance Helipads: 2x dirt pads, no maintenance Approach Considerations: Short runway, sloped downhill at far end. Approach Cautions: Federally protected Bald Eagle(s) soaring cliffs, shared runway with ATV/UTV riders, fence a few ft from runway edge. Notices: STOL aircraft only, Helicopters OK Lighting: N/A Windsock: Temporary Parking: Very Limited Amenities: ATV/UTV trail, dedicated camping area, fishing, dark nights. Trails: UTV trail loops around the area, starting behind the barn. Ideal for the //42 Juice Goose Services: no restrooms, no drinking water, no weather info, no lights, no fuel. Cell service limited. Restrooms are available nearby at the construction site. Objects on or near the runway contain collision boxes. The treeline at the end of the runway contains collision boxes. Challenging approach onto a short and narrow strip. Custom terraforming to better resemble the region as it is IRL. Custom 3D library of on-ground assets. Micro-scenes at two nearby lakes. Working farm with windmill Two dirt roads were cleared for Juice Goose driving. Perched and soaring Bald Eagles with sound. Jumping Frogs in the main lake scene ATV doing donuts visible during daylight Music lovers scene with a radio station and a dancing guy Perfect stop on Northern California Backcountry bush trip adventures. A scenic area surrounded by valleys, perfect for exploration. Includes Bonus Food Truck and strip in the vicinity. No ICAO, find the map at camp! The food truck closes at Dusk. Can you find the bear?
Miltech Simulations, known for several aircraft carrier add-ons, as well as their MV-22B Osprey for MSFS, has announced a new carrier add-on package. Their upcoming Supercarrier Pro will include highly detailed renditions of several ships: the Ford-class CVN-78, the Nimitz-class CVN-76 as well as Arleigh-Burke class destroyers and Ticonderoga-class cruisers. The Supercarriers Pro package will include both static and moving ships, with a total of 14 moving locations and 12 static ones. The carriers come fully featured, allowing you to perform catapult launches and landings using the arrestor cables. The carriers also feature a working FLOLS and LRLS system, allowing you to follow the Ball upon approach. Your landing will also be monitored by a LSO, giving you call-outs and feedback on your approach. Furthermore, the carriers feature an animated crew, jet blast deflectors and elevators. The elevators even allow you to take your aircraft into the ship's hangar. Miltech Simulations' Supercarrier Pro will release on September 14th on their own website and Orbx Direct. The MSFS Marketplace will follow at a later date. The package will be fully Xbox compatible. The team has already announced a roadmap for the add-on too, which will see the addition of US Historical ships and the French carrier Charles de Gaulle.
A review of Drzewiecki Design's version of Paine Field developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
The team behind Microsoft Flight Simulator products such as Freedom Fox, Flow and a number of airfield releases has taken to social media today to confirm they are building a new immersion package for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Parallel 42 is known for their extensive range of immersion packs for FSX/P3D, but have yet to bring anything similar to Microsoft Flight Simulator. On social media, they said they wanted to let the community know it's coming, but will be sharing much more detail in the future. The post was then accompanied by a teaser image of condensation on the wings from the 747-8i. They said ok social media "to everyone who said we 'abandoned flight sim' because we started 'selling tents.' May your joystick sensors develop a fondness for dust & grime." The post concluded by saying that "//42 Immersion is coming." Edson from Parallel 42 told media that more information will be shared soon, so for now, all we have is this teaser image. We will be sure to follow up with any further news as and when we get it.
Flight Replicas announced on Facebook that their Mk. 1a Spitfire is almost complete, with the expectation that it will be out for testing next week. Additionally, they released some additional screenshots highlighting their efforts in recreating this historic aircraft which includes the pilot model, equipped with RAF Mk.III flying goggles and Type D. oxygen masks. As discussed in a previous article, Flight Replicas unfortunately plan not to create a custom soundset, instead relying on the default Reno P-51 soundset like their P-40N. However, the screenshots teased in this latest development update ought to be interesting to history buffs who are itching to have a Mk. 1a variant in their hangar.
Fly 2 High has listened to feedback from the community and updated Jeju International Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The new update includes fixes to the elevation, added additional lights and objects across the airport and also fixing some of the runway markings. The full changelog is down below. Jeju International Airport (RKPC). Second in size only to Incheon Airport in Incheon, Jeju International Airport is the main airport serving Jeju Island, South Korea. The airport was opened in 1968 and has since become a major tourist hub and holiday spot, handling nearly 30 million passengers in 2022. The airport is home to the world's busiest airline route, Jeju to Seoul Gimpo. The update can be obtained through OrbxDirect and will automatically download (if you have this function on) once you open the app. You can pick up your copy of RKPC for MSFS via OrbxDirect for $34.00 AUD (US$21.90 | €20,18 | £17.19). Changelog Fix missing RW marking Added light and objects around Jeju Cargo Terminal Fixed elevation around runway 7 Change fence type between Gate 1 and 85-86 Fixed taxi lights Fixed some small bugs
Scenery developer FSDG has released Bangalore Airport (VOBL) for Microsoft Flight Simulator under their 'LITE' banner. Bangalore Airport, officially known as Kempegowda International Airport, first opened in 2008 and quickly became the third busiest airport in India. It serves as a hub for IndiaGo, Alliance Air and AIX Connect. It also serves as a massive cargo hub for the likes of DHL and FedEx. Although it is being dubbed a 'LITE' release, it still comes with a number of features such as a current ground layout, the latest terminal buildings, and elements such as detailed ground markings and dynamic lighting. If you're not familiar with their LITE series of products, these products are underrepresented airports that are still detailed, but with limited content compared to FSDG's other add-ons. FSDG says, "they do not include scenery content outside the airport area so they're compatible with any addon of your choice like GSX or AI traffic addons." If you want to discover Bangalore for yourself, you can pick up a copy from FSDG's website for Є12.99 (includes 19% VAT). If you're located outside of Europe, you should be able to buy the scenery from other stores in the future. Features Accurate rendition of Kempegowda International Airport Bangalore (VOBL) Latest MSFS technologies like dynamic lights and ground materials New ground layout with two runways New Terminal 2 included Optimized for great performance and visual quality Compatible with all known addons Manual included
If you have been looking for an all-in-one solution to control multiple aspects of your simulator via your tablet or a secondary PC, then SimBox may be the tool for you. This new application will allow you to control multiple aspects of your aircraft via a separate device for both X-Plane aircraft and Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft. Within the app, for a range of different planes, you can adjust elements such as the autopilot, lighting, radio frequency and also control the FMC/MCDU from your tablet device. This will help make flying on a PC much easier as you can focus on the flying and use your tablet to easily adjust settings. Other things you can easily control include the APU, landing gear and more. In X-Plane 11/12, you can use SimBox officially with the default GA planes, the LevelUp/Zibo Boeing 737 and the ToLiss A321. Within Microsoft Flight Simulator, you can use SimBox with the FBW A32NX, the ATR, the Aerosoft CRJ, Fenix A320, and a bunch more. You can see the full range over on the product page. You can even make your own custom configurations and then share them with the community. Arthur, founder and developer of SimBox, gave us some insight into the development of the product, along with some of the history of its development. He told us, "the main motivation when I first started thinking about this project was to improve the immersion during my simulation. I didn't want to stick with many physical devices dedicated to certain aircraft. I like flying the A320, but I also like flying the B737. Much of the physical hardware is generic and does not match the actual aircraft layout. "Then I had an idea - maybe I should move these buttons and switches to a touch device, where it would be easy to match them to the actual layout of the aircraft. Touching is fun, but what about other "gestures" like turning a dial?" Alongside the application itself, you can also buy files to self-print a 3D knob for that physical aspect of turning a dial. You can buy a SimBox license for X-Plane 11/12 or Microsoft Flight Simulator for $29, or get the combo pack for $39. If you wish to then add the knob 3D printed files and support, you can add an extra $10 to that. You can read their documentation to get a better understanding of the product, or you can join their Discord server to ask Arthur questions before purchase. Combo Pack Features MSFS2020 integration XPLANE 11/12 integration All panel templates SimBox Web App SimBox Mobile App Custom aircraft profiles editor
Scenery developer VerticalSim has been working on a number of projects lately but has surprised the community by releasing a new city pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator. As part of their VCities series, Provo (Utah) is now available to download as freeware. Some of the buildings included are the local courthouse, the Nuskin Tower, the BYU Stadium and also the BYU Bell Tower. It has been designed to be a lightweight product and just something to give people the chance to add a bit more realism to the simulator through the freeware add-on. You can get your copy from FlightSim.to. For more on VerticalSim, check out the latest news. Featured Buildings BYU Alumini Center BYU Bell Tower BYU Stadium Courthouse Historic Courthouse Knightblock buildings Public Library Center Temple MTECH Campus Nuskin Tower Smiths Wells Fargo Zion Financial Pro-Escrow 104W Center 198W Center
A new product from FSAcademy has been announced and will be soon launching for Microsoft Flight Simulator. FSAcademy COMMANDER is a new mission pack that puts you in a number of challenging scenarios. Keep your cool in the face of adversity. FS ACADEMY - COMMANDER will arm you with the framework to deal with anything fate throws your way, made by a real airline Captain. Product Page There are 12 missions in total, which will take you on a global tour in a number of aircraft. You will experience a number of different missions that will enable you to take on a variety of challenges. This includes weather problems, mechanical failures, and avionic problems. Each mission will give you the chance to learn from your mistakes and improve for the next run at it. FSAcademy is known for their mission packs in Microsoft Flight Simulator, including their IFR and VFR training packs. Although a release date hasn't been confirmed, it will be released soon on a variety of stores including Orbx, SIMMARKET, Aerosoft, and more. It will also launch in the in-sim Marketplace soon for PC and Xbox. Check out their product page in the mean time.
The most popular freeware download tool site FlightSim.to has announced via their blog some new website features in the hope it will enable users to currate their own freeware lists and find out information a lot easier. The new newly released features are called Collections and Threads. Collections Collections are a list of addons that have been curated by the community and group them together for the convenience of finding relevant and related downloads. This is useful if you want to create a list of add-ons that enhance a certain region and you need multiple for it to provide the best experience. Any user can create 'collections', but are initially created in a 'private' setting. However, users can share them either 'unlisted' or with a public link. There are some restrictions on a collection going public such as ensuring each item is relevant and it contains a minimum of 6 downloads. In order to create a collection, you can open up any mod page and click 'add to collection'. You can read more about them on the collections page on FlightSim.to. Threads With some add-ons seeing well over 30,000 comments, a more manageable solution was needed to ensure that relevant information could still be easily visible to the community. This is where Threads comes in. The new feature mirrors more traditional forum formats, grouping specific subjects or questions into a single 'thread' and having users answer it via that format. Any add-on with over 1000 downloads will receive threads added to the download page, and by default will get 'Announcement' and 'FAQ' as threads. There, users and creators can participate in discussions without important information getting lost. You can read more about Threads over on the help page. New Search Using AI Following feedback, FlightSim.to will be introducing a new "revolutionary" search tool, which will be powered by AI. On the announcement page, FlightSim.to said, "we're testing a groundbreaking feature set to redefine your search experience on Flightsim.to. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, our new search functionality will offer personalized mod suggestions and intuitively understand your queries [.]". They provided a teaser screenshot of what this may look like. The rollout of this way to search is due to come soon. FlightSim.to Celebrate their Third Birthday In the past three years, FlightSim.to has seen over 650,000 people sign up to their services, with 60,000+ add-ons uploaded to the site. Over 56 million downloads have happened over the past 3 years.
If you haven't already seen the news, iniBuilds has just released Honolulu Airport (PHNL) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. It's an airport that has been highly sought after in rich detail for a long time, and now it's available to enable simmers to explore the Hawaiian islands. We spoke to the development team at iniBuilds who gave us a bit more detail on how the airport came together and what it takes to be working collaboratively on these huge airport products. FSElite: Why did you decide to take on Honolulu for your next scenery release? iniBuilds: Selecting the location for our next scenery release is always a meticulous process. With Honolulu, we aimed to offer the flight simulation community an iconic and diverse destination that blends stunning natural landscapes with urban vibrance. The popularity of Honolulu as a tourist hotspot, coupled with its unique blend of cultures and geographical features, made it an exciting choice. We believe that capturing the beauty of its beaches, lush mountains, and bustling cityscape will provide virtual pilots with an immersive experience like no other! We have covered a lot of the intricate oriental-inspired and historic features, and artwork throughout the product, which we hope will provide an immersive experience to our customers. Furthermore, Honolulu, has been a highly requested product by our community, and fits in nicely with the iniBuilds Summer Suprises event currently underway! FSElite: How do you get the required data and imagery to help you create the product to such a fine level of detail? iniBuilds: We use a variety of sources ranging from local knowledge and site visits through to professionally acquired orthoimagery and published charts. Local knowledge is invaluable when it comes to understanding what it is about an airport that pilots believe sets it apart from all others.This is critical for us at iniBuilds - we don't want to just create accurately placed buildings or taxi-signs but want to provide an immersive, transformative experience for our customers and those unique, local elements are fundamental in our view in a scenery product. FSElite: Can you share with us the process your team goes through to create the airport? Does it go through various stages or people during the course of development? iniBuilds: It certainly is a team wide effort! We have various stages at iniBuilds - planning, production & testing. For this product, we had over 20 people support from researching key features to modelling the large terminal areas to those who have to test each jetway connection, to ensure we are providing the highest quality to our customers! This complex process aims to offer a lifelike experience, seamlessly blending with the simulator's environment. FSElite: How do you decide what areas to focus on for performance versus level of detail? Are you finding better techniques over time to improve visual quality whilst maintaining good levels of performance? iniBuilds: We try to initially focus on those areas that are of most interest to those who are familiar with the real-world airport as well as adding details to the elements that are unique and identifiable. Balancing performance and detail in virtual environments involves prioritizing critical areas like runways and terminals for higher detail, while optimizing less essential regions for smoother performance. We employ techniques like level-of-detail models, varying texture resolutions, and dynamic loading to achieve this balance. FSElite: What are some of your stand-out favourite elements of Honolulu Airport for you? Any feature or area you're most proud of or given a specific challenge? Hawaii is such a picturesque destination it really is hard to pick our favourites. But if we had to choose, we would pick the Cultural Garden that has been faithfully recreated, the array of buildings with amazing artwork, and the complex geometry with the peripheral buildings such as the train station or car parks, that have be...
The final day of the iniBuilds Summer Surprises event concludes with the release of Honolulu Airport (PHNL). The airport is officially known as Daniel K. Inouye International Airport but is often called Honolulu International Airport, as it is the main airport for the island of the same name in Hawaii. This hugely popular destination serves as the main gateway to the Hawaiian islands, with frequent flights to the US, Asia and Oceania. The airport has several long runways capable of handling all aircraft types. There are plenty of airliner and cargo operations too, allowing for simmers to choose what type of flying they do with Honolulu Airport. Airlines that regularly fly there include Hawaiian Airlines, ANA, Southwest and United. As with other iniBuilds airports, this comes packed with features. This includes completely custom-made models all detailed with high-resolution PBR textures. There's plenty of ground clutter, realistic night lighting, and other finer details that make this a realistic-looking rendition. There are also plenty of landside details, along with interior modelling. Parallax interiors have been used to create the look of interior modelling with minimal impact on performance. Of course, you can use the iniManager to adjust preferences to get the most optimal performance possible. 10% Goes back into Relief Efforts For the first month of release, iniBuilds has said that 10% of all revenue generated from sales of Honolulu Airport will go to the American Red Cross for the Hawaii Wildfire crisis. They said, "10% of all revenue in the first month, will be going to the American Red Cross for the Hawaii Wildfire crises that have affected thousands of people. Like the Turkey Earthquake disaster, at iniBuilds, we want to support humanitarian efforts as much as we can around the world and do our part for society beyond flight simulation." You can now buy iniBuilds' Honolulu Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator for £19.99 (excluding taxes) directly from their store. No doubt it will come to the MSFS Marketplace in the near future.
A new developer has appeared on the scene with a brand new product release for Microsoft Flight Simulator. XWind Studios is a newcomer to the field and has begun producing airports for the simulator, starting with Dunedin Airport (AKA Momana Airport). Dunedin Airport (NZDN) is an international airport in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand, serving Dunedin city and the Otago and Southland regions. Airlines such as Air New Zealand fly domestic routes to and from the airport, whilst Virgin Australia, and Sounds Air offer routes to numerous other destinations also. The airport product comes with an accurate and custom-made ground polygon, based on the latest airport layout. Hand-made animated jetways are also included, along with HD PBR models and surrounding imagery. There is also basic interiors modelled for the terminal and also the numerous aircraft hangars. You can buy XWind Studios' Dunedin Airport from the iniBuilds store for £5.99 (excluding taxes). It was released during iniBuilds' Summer Surprises series, and there are still more surprises to come. Keep your eyes peeled here on FSElite for the next announcement happening in just a few hours. Features Highly detailed, up to date surrounding imagery Accurate simulation featuring a custom ground polygon with a 2023 layout Hand-made animated jetways HD PBR models Basic terminal and hangar interiors Accurate model recreation and surrounding scenery placement Created with peformance in mind
Drzewiecki Design allows you to take delivery of your actual aircraft with the release of their latest scenery: Paine Field (KPAE) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Seattle Paine Field International Airport, commonly referred to as Paine Field or Snohomish County Airport is located just north of Seattle. The history of the airport goes back all the way to 1936, but the airport would not have gained as much significance as it has nowadays if not for Boeing's decision to assemble one of its most iconic and famous aircraft at the Boeing Everett Factory: the Boeing 747. Since then, Boeing has developed several planes at this facility, including the 747 and 787. Currently the plant is used for assembly of the 767, 777 and 737 MAX. Similar to Drzewiecki Design's Renton Municipal Airport that houses the Boeing Renton Factory where the Boeing 737 is produced, Paine Field allows you to take a look inside the production facility and see how the aircraft are built. A large number of custom objects are visible in high detail, almost allowing you to become a part of the assembly process. Inside the factory several different assembly lines are visible and animated. If that's not enough, outside of the facility itself the airport is also filled with static aircraft, undergoing several stages of development and finalisation. Here you can start your test flight, or just have a look at the various aircraft and operators that are getting ready to start flying their new planes. If you want to go even further than that, the actual airport terminal has also been created in high detail, complete with terminal interior. You can take delivery of your new Boeing plane and take it to its new home. Drzewiecki Design's Paine Field for MSFS is available for €21,68 from SimMarket. Features A high-quality model of KPAE Paine Field Airport, featuring the up-to-date version with extensive details throughout the whole airport FPS-friendly design, with epic night textures, dynamic lighting and PBR materials, high-definition mesh Boeing Everett Factory with an animated 777X assembly line Custom-animated people and vehicles Performance-friendly interior modeling at all terminal buildings, hangars, and control towers, high-quality static aircraft, custom animations, custom animated jetways, custom sounds Fully compatible with GSX Pro using Cartayna Files
Fenix Simulations have been busy recently with the recent release of their V2 Block 1 update for the A320, as well as additional updates in September, an A321, an A319, and more. Additionally, Aamir announced a revamp of their beta and testing program, opening applications for those interested in spending some time fine-tuning the A32X series of aircraft offerings. While preference will be given to real life pilots, engineers, and mechanics, they are also looking to expand to any user who is willing to dedicate time towards testing. The ultimate goal is to onboard 100-150 testers. Aamir stated that he expects quite a high number of applicants and as a result, only those selected will be sent an email confirming their selection. If you're interested in filling out an application to become a beta tester, check out the Google form here.
AmSim's Madeira Airport (LPMA) for Microsoft Flight Simulator launched about 16 months ago now, but the developer has been hard at work bringing the scenery into line with the increasingly high standard for airport sceneries in the world's most popular home flight simulator. The latest v1.4 update sees the product get a new LDIN or lead-in lighting system for runway 05. This is a system which is often used in supplement to existing approach markers consisting of one or more strobing lights which guide the aircraft down on the correct lateral path, and are used primarily when background lighting or terrain prevents runway identification. LDIN systems also feature famously at New York's JFK Airport where they assist pilots flying the famed Canarsie approach. In addition, the Approach Lighting System (ASL) has been added to runway 05 and the existing system on runway 23 has been improved. Finally, a new fire station building has been added near Taxiway B and some minor bugs relating to ground traffic have been patched out. Those familiar with Madeira Airport will immediately recognise it for it's complex visual approaches and highly-variable weather conditions, making it a visually spectacular but highly challenging approach well cemented as a fan favourite among flight simmers. Madeira Airport is also included in the base package of Microsoft Flight Simulator as a 'hand crafted' airport, and while this scenery is certainly better than an autogen offering, it definitely looks pretty dated by the standards set from scenery developers in 2023. You can pick up AmSim's rendition of Madeira Airport for MSFS through the Orbx store here. A full changelog is available below. Changelog: Added LDIN (Lead In Light System) for RW 05 Improved terrain mesh Added ASL to RW 05 Improved ASL for RW23 Added Fire Station Building near Taxiway B Fixed bugs with ground traffic. (Not using the taxiways)
BlackBird Simulations announced their latest aircraft coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator, a T6A ADV, just a few days ago, but we have not yet seen much of the aircraft. The teaser trailer posted on their YouTube only contained a brief flyby of the aircraft, and no other info about system fidelity or flight dynamics was shared. Luckily, the BlackBird Simulations team has shared some more info and previews exclusively with FSElite. The previews, although few in numbers, are less shy about showing the aircraft compared to the teaser trailer. We get some very nice exterior shots of the aircraft, showing a lot of detail on the exterior textures and model. We can see the gear struts modelled nicely, with cables running over the struts to the wheels. On another shot we get to see some details such as antennae on the aircraft, as well as the landing lights, the propellor blades and the exhaust pipes at the front. Another shot shows the vertical stabiliser, and here too plenty of details can be discerned: from the small horizontal fin on the vertical stabiliser to the static wicks. The rivets can clearly be seen in the texture work, alongside some built-up dirt on and trailing from these rivets. The only preview of the inside of the cockpit appears to show the canopy lever, modelled in detail, together with appropriate wear and tear. Flight Model The BlackBird Simulations team did not only share these previews. The developer also shared that their T6A ADV will contain the highest fidelity flight model that they have created for MSFS. Of course, a claim like that is easily made, but BlackBird Simulations managed to back it up too. They stated that this aircraft simulation has been used by the USAF to train their future pilots, and top level realism is guaranteed. This is a study level sim, the closest to realistic flight we've gone so far. We'll share more information on BlackBird Simulations' upcoming T6A ADV as we learn more about the aircraft.
Welcome to our weekly series: Flying Fridays! With so much content out there and choice for flying, it's always fun to see what the community is actually up to in the virtual skies. That is why we want to see what you're flying this weekend. Where are you flying this weekend? Tell us in the comment section where you're flying this weekend. Give us screenshots, routings, and details. As for me, this weekend I won't be flying. virtually. Instead, I'll be traveling back home from being at Gamescom 2023. I'll be flying back on a 737 Ryanair from Germany back to the UK. I'll probably end up recreating the route once I'm back. Win a Giftcard for Contrail Tell us in the comments where you are flying this weekend. We'll then take a random person who comments and give them a free 5 Euro gift card to spend at Contrail. We'll close the comments on Sunday afternoon and then pick a winner on Monday morning. Thanks to Contrail for being a supporter of Flying Fridays! Cool Recent Releases or News this Week Loads of news came about this week, plus some neat releases. Here's what you guys have been reading: Horizon Simulations Announces the 787-9 for MSFS Microsoft Flight Simulator Announces City Update: Western Europe & Local Legend 12 Revealed VATSIM Begins 8.33 kHz VHF Frequency Spacing Trial Thrustmaster Viper TQS Mission Pack Available for Pre-Order Fly 2 High's Jeju International Airport RKPC Released Blackbird Simulations Announces T6A ADV Fly 2 High Releases Belgrade Airport Did you Know? Scenery developer Pyreegue Dev Co has started adding more airports to the Contrail app, including Glasgow and Belfast. They're also one of the highest-rated scenery developers on the platform. If you loved their East Midlands airport, then you'll probably like their other UK airports, too.
Developer, Horizon Simulations has announced the most popular variant of the Dreamliner family, the Boeing 787-9 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. In our FSElite interview with Horizon Simulations, they previously said they had no plans in the pipeline to work on a Boeing 787-9 as the focus was on the Kuro 787-8 and LatinVFR Airbus series, but since the interview went live some things have changed and they have decided to push efforts on creating this magnificent aircraft. The Boeing 787-9 is a long-range, wide-body, twin-engine commercial aeroplane developed by Boeing as a part of their 787 Dreamliner series. It is an extended version of the original Boeing 787-8 and is designed to carry more passengers and cargo over longer distances while maintaining the fuel efficiency and innovative features that are characteristic of the Dreamliner family. With a range of 7,635 nautical miles, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is operated on some of the longest routes around the world, such as London Heathrow to Perth operated by Qantas, New York-JFK to Auckland operated by Air New Zealand and Dallas/Fort Worth to Melbourne operated by United Airlines. Horizon Simulations has provided FSElite with a few questions and answers regarding the Boeing 787-9 which can be found below: When will the Horizon Simulations 787-9 be released? As usual, we'd rather not give timeframes for a potential release date, due to the fact that we do not wish to put our development team under pressure. Not to mention that we'd rather avoid the mistakes of over-promising and under-delivering. We will keep you posted about the development as it progresses. Will it use the default flight model? No just like in the case of the Boeing 787-8 from Kuro, we are going to make sure that the flight model is up to the B787-9 specification, and that it is going to match the level of quality that you could expect from Horizon Simulations Will it have an EFB? Since the project is based on the AAU2/SU13 framework, yes it will have all of the features that said software framework has to offer, with all of the customisations required to make it look and feel like a Boeing 787-9 Will it have both engine types? Just like in the case of the Boeing 787-8, this mod will not be exempt from getting the dual engine treatment either. So yes you can expect both General Electric GEnx-1B, and Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine variants. What liveries will be included? For the time being the list is quite long that we'd like to implement as we want to make sure that we cover as many real-life operators as possible, including but not limited to: Norse Atlantic Turkish Airlines Qantas Air New Zealand British Airways And more Will you need the Premium Deluxe version of MSFS 2020 for the B787-9? In the same way that for Kuro's B787-8 it is a requirement to have Premium Deluxe, this will not change either with the B787-9. Originally we wanted to make sure that all of the simulator users will be able to enjoy this mod of ours. As the initial release we're still relying on Asobo's assets to make this happen, but who knows what the future may hold. To learn more about the team behind Horizon Simulations please check out our FSElite interview with them here. To stay up to date with Horizon Simulations you can find their Social Media links below. Patreon: Buy me a Coffee: Twitter: Instagram: Discord:
Announced only a few days ago, but Orbx has released its latest scenery product for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Idaho's Deadly 3 features 3 airports and a helipad in a single package that will sure please bushfliers. Developed by Milo Taylor, this is a backpacker's dream with 4 different strips/helipads to visit. Each will give you a unique challenge and test. Orbx has described this as "the ultimate playground for budding Backcountry pilots" who are looking for something a bit different in the region. They say it pairs nicely with Parallel 42's Campout Utility. You will be able to fly to Dewey Moore, Simonds, and Vines airstrips, along with Rush Point Creek Fire Lookout (helipad). All of the strips are enriched with detail with custom objects, plentiful vegetation and numerous custom animations to bring the product alive. Milo has also done extensive terrain terraforming to make the strips seamlessly blend in with the rest of the simulator. You can buy it from OrbxDirect for $19.95 AUD (excluding any taxes). Features Dewey Moore - 700ft uphill slope. Approach from the E Simonds - 900ft uphill slope. approach from the SE Vines - 1000 ft. Approach from the E Rush Point Creek Fire Lookout - Seep uphill ridge landing possible from the north. Extremely dangerous Makeshift helipad - at the Fire lookout for emergency purposes Rangers have reported a high number of aerial predators at most locations. Beware of approach. Consider going around if possible Recreational pilots are known for flying drones for aerial footage. Keep an eye out! Try not to disturb the wildlife. Fishing spots are available. The word is the salmon is really jumping this time of year A couple of backcountry pilots about. Some have maps at camp if you are unsure of the area Extensive vegetation overhaul for a complete immersion experience Substantial terraforming to recreate real-world terrain Airstrip ICAOs have been universalized due to all not having one -IDDM, IDSM, and IDVN Many custom animations to bring the scenery alive - Ducks, salmon, drones, and eagles
We previously posted on how RW Profiles has decided to cut ties with FlightSim.to over multiple concerns. Those concerns include the newly designed website and how creators would be compensated through the Creator's Program. FlightSim.to has now clarified its stance on multiple elements in a document sent to us earlier today. To ensure that no context or accuracy is lost, we are sharing their full statement as-is below. From FlightSim.to Creator's Program Our Creators Program is still very much in the pipeline. We have always strived to be a platform that supports creators. Progress can sometimes be slower than we'd like, but rest assured, we're committed to delivering on our promises. Noone ever said that the Creators Program wouldn't come: In this particular case, the legal side of implementing our Creators Programme has proven to be more complex than anticipated, but we are working on getting the requirements aligned, which takes time. Terms of Service We'd like to make it clear that what was labelled "ToS drama" was in fact a misrepresentation and steer-up by a minority of people with no legal knowledge. In fact, our terms are more transparent and less demanding than any other mod related platform existing out there, including esteemed ones like NexusMods, 5Mods and Mod.io, which we have demonstrated several times (Twitter). In any case, there has been absolutely no change for creators and users using the paltform besides of the theoretical changes of a legal nature anyway. Website Redesign Feedback is the lifeblood of any service-oriented platform. Postredesign, we've actively collected feedback through our dedicated platform and have gathered over 900+ pieces of valuable input, implementing more than 200 changes based on them; and a lot of more still in the pipeline. We can't and don't expect all users to like the design, because design is a matter of taste, but we can work together to find a compromise that satisfies everyone to some degree. GSX Profile Thumbnails The recent changes were a result of a website display error and were never meant to be a permanent feature. Our intention was to simplify the process for creators by eliminating the thumbnail requirement for GSX Profiles, given the often generic nature of GSX Profile thumbnails. If a creator chose not to upload a thumbnail (we would rather have no thumbnail than a nonsense thumbnail), the system would fall back to our default thumbnail. There was a bug in the code that caused this misbehaviour for only a few hours. Premium Earnings Our premium service earnings are primarily utilized to cover the bills of our servers and maintain our download servers. Engagement with Creators Open dialogue has always been our forte. We are always eager to find solutions that benefit our creators and provide users with a unified solution, preventing a scatter across multiple discord platforms, which would be a disservice to the community. RW Profiles' decision to move away from our platform is regrettable and somewhat surprising. Our support and communication channcels are always open, especially for creators. We believe that the best solutions arise from collaborative dialogue, and unfortunately, we weren't afforded the opportunity to engage with them directly before this decision was made. We stand by our position as a neutral platform, dedicated to both creators and users. Removing content from Flightsim.to does not harm Flightsim.to, but it does harm thousands of virtual pilots who are looking for new content and need to dig into Discord servers to find them. It's worth noting that as much as we are defenders of our platform, we're also advocates for growth and development. We recognize our areas of improvement and are ceaselessly working on them. Let's focus on unity, collaboration, and the shared passion that brings us all here: the love for flight simulation. Should we hear anything else on the matter, we will report on it.
Popular GSX profile and freeware creation team RW Profiles has announced via their website that they are severing all ties with FlightSim.to and will be removing all their content from the site very soon. In their blog post, the team cited ongoing issues with FlightSim.to as the reason they're pulling out from the immensely popular freeware website. RW Profiles said they will be removing all files from FlightSim.to from September 1st, 2023. They said that FlightSim.to no longer has the community or creator community at heart, which is why they've decided to pull out. RW Profiles went into more detail by saying that the premium service, which was meant to be a way to give back to creators, has yet to be proven to support creators. The original plan from FlightSim.to was to create a Creators Programme, which would financially benefit the creators. RW Profiles says that despite ongoing promises for this to happen, nothing has materialised. Despite RW Profiles overlooking the ToS issues from a few months ago, this was one of the reasons they have decided to part ways with the freeware download site. Another reason was the new website redesign, more specifically, changes made to the GSX Profile pages. The team also said that the number of ads on the site for non-premium members also makes it unusable, along with the supposed appearance of NSFW adverts. Whilst some changes have been reverted, RW Profiles say "we feel that flightsim.to's decisions are all over the place, we have lost any trust in the platform, and we do not agree with the direction the site is heading into." This is a major blow for those who used the platform in order to download RW Profile creations. The team say they are working on a user-friendly way to enable users to download their profiles, but for now, you will need to do so via their Discord. You will be able to seach via ICAO in order to find the profile you desire. FlightSim.to have had a few instances of controversary lately. Their latest website redesign didn't go down too well with users and their 'Terms of Service' update left a sour taste for creators. Whilst this was changed from feedback, it seems issues are still preasent for creators over on the platform.
Beautiful Model of the World has updated their Bremen Airport (EDDW) scenery to Version 2. Version 2 comes with some fixes for the older version of the airport, but most notably, with a number of new additions. These include new, custom glideslope antenna's, custom vehicles and cars, new animated runway guard lights, a new refueling point and a new helipad. Taxiway Bravo has been fixed and the embankment along runway Alpha has been improved. Beautiful Model of the World's Bremen Airport V2 update is now available through Orbx Direct and is free for current customers. If you do not yet own BMotW's Bremen Airport, you can pick it up for $21 AUD. Changelog fixed taxiway BRAVO added custom glideslope antennas added custom vehicles and cars added animated RUNWAY GUARD LIGHT added new refueling point improved embankment along taxiway Alpha removed blue Ryanair letters from small terminal new style for taxiway signs added helipad
Over on the MSFS forums developer DigitalJonx of the Got Friends development team has shared a new development update alongside more previews of their upcoming F4F Wildcat. Just a few days we reported on some other F4F previews, featuring the aircraft's "crash capabilities". This time the developer wants to draw a little more attention to some of the other features the plane will come with. Starting off the post, the F4F Wildcat will feature a manual and automated mode of the landing gear and the cowl flaps. This old bird lacks many of the modern features we see in our planes today, or even back when this plane was introduced. In order to lower the landing gear, pilots had to manually operate the crank in order to raise or lower the gear. Those looking for an authentic experience might be happy to see this manual operation will also be available on Got Friends Wildcat. An automated mode will also exist, allowing you to operate the gear in a more modern way. The team has included several animations so far to the Wildcat. As seen on the previews last week, the aircraft will include prop-strike physics that will bend the propeller blades. The Wildcat also features bone animated elements, like the yoke, rudder and chain animations. Additionally, the aircraft includes a collimated gun sight. According to DigitalJonx, more work definitely remains to be done on the aircraft, despite the seemingly far-progressed state of the previews. We will share more updates with you as Got Friends shares more of their F4F Wildcat.
Announced back at FSExpo, Thrustmaster's Viper TQS Mission Pack throttle is now available for pre-order. The Viper TQS Mission Pack incluses a 1:1 scale throttle with a metal handle, as well as a fully featured panel based on the F-16 Viper including the iconic chaff/flare button. Furthermore, the Viper TQS includes 64 buttons that you can configure, as well as 6 axes and disengage-able detents. Thrustmaster's HEART technology (HallEffect AccuRate Technology) promises a durable throttle with a very high precision. Thrustmaster's Viper TQS Mission Pack is available now for pre-order for €499,99, $529.99 or £449.99. The site does not mention when pre-orders will start shipping out.
VATSIM, the free-to-use Virtual Air Traffic Simulation network, announced via Discord the upcoming trial of 8.33 kHz VHF frequency spacing. Predominately utilized by real-world air traffic control in Europe since 2007, reducing the spacing between consecutive frequencies from 25 kHz to 8.33 kHz more than doubles the number of ATC channels available. VATSIM says the goals of this trial will be to determine the feasibility of using 8.33 kHz spacing to resolve the difficulties some divisions and subdivisions have had with frequency availability and conflicts with neighboring frequencies. The 3-month trial begins September 7 and will take place in Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK. "VATSIM is always striving to make the operations on the network more realistic. With more and more simulators and add-ons supporting 8.33 kHz spacing, now is a great time to introduce this to VATSIM." VATSIM Discord VATSIM states that over the last few months, a network audit showed that the 8.33 kHz frequency spacing change will impact fewer than 5% of flights. This means that the vast majority of the estimated 110,000 active pilots on the network will not be affected as nearly all modern simulators and add-ons natively support 8.33 kHz via the aircraft radio panel. VATSIM's voice system, Audio for VATSIM, has long had the capability to support 8.33 kHz but was limited by SimConnect for FS9, FSX, and P3D. However, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, X-Plane 11, and X-Plane 12 do offer native 8.33 kHz compatibility, though users may need to change their avionics setup. Older simulators such as Microsoft Flight Simulator FS9, FSX, and Lockheed Martin Prepar3D version 4 and prior, lack native compatibility with 8.33 kHz frequency spacing. This will preclude legacy versions of popular add-ons such as PMDG aircraft for FSX & P3D, QualityWings 787, and Majestic Software's MJC8-Q400 from being able to directly set the desired 8.33 kHz frequency from the in-game radio panel. However, during the trial, legacy add-on users can tune frequencies that end in x05, x10, x15, x30, x35, x40, x55, x60, x65, x80, x85, and x90 using the command .com1 XXX.XXX or by selecting the frequency through the online ATC List within the pilot client. Add-on developers may also update their products to accommodate in-game tuning capability if the trial is a success. "VATSIM invites any developer to update their products for use with the expanded frequency range to allow their customers continued full immersion on the network" Niels Voogd, VATSIM Outreach and Partnership Manager Stay "tuned" to FSElite for details on when and if VATSIM determines the feasibility of adopting 8.33 kHz frequency spacing.
iniBuilds has just announced that they are hosting a new Summer Surprises series that kicks off tomorrow, 24th August 2023. Alongside this, the team provided a major update with regard to the development of their upcoming A300-600 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Summer Surprises Starting tomorrow, 24th August 2023, iniBuilds will be hosting its official Summer Surprises event, which will see huge discounts and new product releases. Each day, something new will come along, with the discount only lasting 24 hours. The new products being released are either by the iniBuilds team or as an exclusive release by one of their partners. Be sure to check out their website between 24th August and 28th August to see what the daily surprise is. iniBuilds A300-600 for MSFS We saw the first development update for the A300-600 for Microsoft Flight Simulator during FlightSimExpo 2023. Since then, the team has worked hard on bringing the aircraft to life in the simulator and has chosen today to provide a detailed update on how things are progressing. Starting with the modelling and texture work, iniBuilds has said that the aircraft boasts "meticulous attention to detail, with each rivet, screw, panel gap, and placard thoughtfully recreated using high-resolution decal sheet." The depth of the detail goes right down to the smallest features, including the nose gear interphone panel, external power panel and cargo areas. The liveries themselves will also be unique, with precise stencils and markings used to showcase the level of detail each plane will come in. There is also "application of weathering effects that mirror the genuine accumulation of wear and tear from the skies." As for the systems and flight model, iniBuilds is committed to bringing a comprehensive set of systems to the plane. This includes a realistic flight model, full ACARS, CPDLC simulation and more. iniBuilds went into further detail by adding that CFD simulation will be included that runs over the wings and tail of the aircraft, which is then reinjected back into the aircraft's flight model. There will be accurate drag and engine thrust simulation and improved ground effect that is also built using the CFD technology. There is also a brand-new auto-flight system that has been built from the ground up. Expect: New Flight directors giving better smoother guidance. New Autoland system including new LOC and GS laws. New AP handling. This will overhaul LVL CHANGE V/S and all other basic modes for smoother more accurate flying. New LNAV system better able to handle more complex SIDs and STARs. Improved core system logic. iniBuilds says that their in-house pilot testing team is "loving the results." What is fresh information is that iniBuilds say this will be the last development update until they get to the final testing and release prep for the plane. In terms of timeframes, iniBuilds also laid out their release plans. By the end of 2023, the GE Freighter & Passenger version (v1.00) will be released. After that, a 'stage 1' hotfix will also be made available as a free update. Following the initial release, iniBuilds confirmed that a PW update will be released in early 2024 as a free update. This will include PW Freighter, PW Pax version and also an IDC panel update in the cockpit (a modern radio panel option, which simulates CPDLC and ACARS - via Hoppie). After that, an EPIC Mod variant will be released in 2024 as a paid expansion. This adds the EPIC Mod for all aircraft engine and variants. For now, enjoy the previews and once again, be sure to stay tuned to learn about the iniBuilds Summer Surprises.
During Gamescom 2023, Microsoft announced a brand new city update and a new local legend for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The newly announced downloadable content pieces were shown off for the first time in two new trailers revealed during the show. City Update: Western Europe Starting with City Update: Western Europe, the newly announced city update focuses on a range of cities within the region. In the trailer, we saw the following cities are updated: Rotterdam, Netherlands Ghent, Belgium Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Annamese, France Geneva, Switzerland Furthermore, the trailer also revealed that a range of landmarks and points of interest have been added. In addition, Cologne-Bonn Airport has been added, based on the trailer and remarks from Jorg during the presentation. City Update: Western Europe is now available through the in-sim Marketplace. Local Legend 12: Dornier Do-X Dornier Do-X was also announced as Local Legend 12. The Dornier Do-X was designed to compete with the likes of large passenger ships in the 1920s and is known as the most powerful flying boat in the world at the time. It first flew in July 1929 and could reach speeds of 130 knots. The trailer revealed a detailed interior model, plenty of special effects and the ability to fly it and land it easily on water. The Dornier Do-X was developed with thanks to Oliver Moser. You can buy it now from the in-sim Marketplace during a special offer where you can save 33%. The usual price is $14.99 USD. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 During the stream, Jorg was also asked about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. During the interview with Jorg, he reiterated that this is "the biggest undertaking for flight simulator" that has ever happened and that 500 people are currently working on it. What's more, he said that it is possible that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will be at Gamescom in 2024. Correction: We made a mistake in the excerpt and said 2023, when we meant 2024 - which was already accurate in the article. We regret this error. This is a breaking story and will be updated. Updated this article to reflect the immediate release of both City Update: Western Europe and also the Dornier Do-X.
Aeroplane Heaven's upcoming Avro Lancaster appears to be getting closer and closer to take-off. The team is back with a slew of previews over on their Facebook page. The previews show every aspect of the plane, from some nice exterior shots to detailed and up-close interior shots where the crew is at work. We get to see the gunners positions, radio and navigation, flight engineer and much more. We also get to see the aircraft on the ground, with various pieces of age-appropriate ground equipment around it, as well as a sneak peak inside the bomb bay. According to Aeroplane Heaven's status update, the aircraft is getting closer to release. The modelling and texture work are nearing completion, and we can certainly see some of the improvements that have been made since the last previews that still showed a lot of untextured parts.
SimSolutions has released the Diamond DA20-C1 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. First flown in 1991, the DA20 has seen more than 1000 models produced. Thanks to its nimble performance, lightweight design and versatility, it has proven to be a reliable GA aircraft, perfect for exploring and training. The team at SimSolutions has created a detailed rendition of the DA20-C1 Eclipse, with a number of impressive features. Included is a fully modelled aircraft complete with 4K PBR texturing, a GTX 327 transponder and a functional DAVTRON clock system. There are also various animations such as the opening canopy and fuel cap to make the experience as immersive as possible. You can watch the trailer above to get an idea of what to expect. You can buy SimSolutions' Diamond DA20-C1 from the iniBuilds store for £15.49 (excluding taxes). Features Fully modeled inside and out 4K PBR Textures Fully modeled 3D cockpit Modeled with real world experience Opening of canopy and fuel cap GTX 327 transponder DAVTRON clock system Aircraft Checklist (Data folder)
A significant update for Orbx's Volanta app has been released. Version 1.6 of Volanta comes with a number of new features and a bunch of fixes that should improve the experience of the flight tracking tool. The first major new feature that comes with the new version is the ability to playback flights that you have completed in Volanta. You can watch back any of your old flights at various speeds and also see certain key events such as landings. Another new cool feature is product recommendations for the user's active flight origin and destination. If you know what route you want to fly, but need help knowing what product to add, this will certainly be helpful. The map will also highlight products that are nearby during a flight. There's also new local time and local currency (?) information added to airports, along with the current open/closed status of an airport. Other new features include a new map settings panel design, the ability to select between staple and experimental plugin release channels and new aircraft icons. Further to new features, a range of fixes are also part of the new release. Tooltips have been improved across the board, screenshots can now be seen on the map and certain visual issues are now resolved. There are a number of key fixes in the changelog below. Volanta is a free flight-tracking tool that can be used with any primary desktop simulator. It enables you to see other virtual pilots, online ATC and save your flights to the cloud. A Premium version of Volanta also exists that gives you more features such as high-resolution screenshot saving, schedules, and more. You can subscribe to Volanta Premium for AU$6.35 (excluding tax). New Volanta Features Added playback controls for past flights! Flights can now be "replayed" in Volanta at various speeds with an intuitive timeline-like navigation experience that marks key events such as landings. Added the ability to filter the flights shown on the map New and improved map settings panel design The map will highlight products that are nearby during a flight Select between stable and experimental plugin release channels Improved downloading of airport data Closed airports are noted in tooltips and information cards Airports now have local time and country information The open/closed status of an airport is now considered when a destination is automatically selected based on a landing Product recommendations for the user's active flights' origin and destination have been added Many new aircraft icons have been added Language translations have now been included, such as Chinese (Traditional) and Romanian Fixed in Volanta 1.6 FSS controller labels have been fixed (no longer crash into area controller labels) Controller tooltips will function even when an approach ring is present in the same location Enroute controllers now appear on the airport's controllers page An airline can now be eliminated from an aircraft The flickering radius circles for approach controllers when hovering over them have been fixed Tooltips no longer scroll with the app Screenshots can now be seen on the map Volanta Premium Subscribers can sync with Orbxdirect Users can select area controllers even when the labels are displayed in the same place as an approach controller radius ring Controller tooltips are no longer shown when the controller layer is not visible Fixed an issue causing enroute controllers to no longer appear in the list of VATSIM controllers on the airport card
Renowned scenery developer FlyTampa has updated their Athens scenery in Microsoft Flight Simulator to version 1.6, bringing a whole host of updates to the sim. The teams latest update includes new hangars at the Greek capital's airport, including those of national airline's Olympic and Aegean, improved traffic parking and jetway operations and enhanced 3D terrain shading on highway terrain and aircraft bridges. In their Facebook post announcing the latest update, the team answered questions from the community who were enquiring about the status of their other sceneries and updates to come. Regarding the team's highly anticipated Amsterdam Schipol scenery, the team responded 'Shiphol [sic] is a different team so the Athens update won't slow it down.' The team's updated scenery is now available on BMT/FlyTampa, Simmarket and Contrail, but say that Orbx and MSFS Marketplace upload is still pending. Features: New Olympic/Aegean Hangar with detailed interior and new logos. Improved traffic parking and jetway operation Added Service vehicle routes Performance Improvements and further LOD work. Video Card Memory usage reduced Improved Lighting Improved 3D terrain shading on highway terrain and aircraft bridges Reworked Terraforming on 3D drains Updated latest Library objects with some new models All recompiled with latest SDK
Orbx has announced a new product coming soon to Microsoft Flight Simulator. The newly announced airport product features 4 strips in 1 and will give simmers a unique challenge across Idaho in the US. Developed by Milo Taylor, this is a backpacker's dream with 4 different strips/helipads to visit. Each will give you a unique challenge and test. Orbx has described this as "the ultimate playground for budding Backcountry pilots" who are looking for something a bit different in the region. They say it pairs nicely with Parallel 42's Campout Utility. You will be able to fly to Dewey Moore, Simonds, and Vines airstrips, along with Rush Point Creek Fire Lookout (helipad). All of the strips are enriched with detail with custom objects, plentiful vegetation and numerous custom animations to bring the product alive. Milo has also done extensive terrain terraforming to make the strips seamlessly blend in with the rest of the simulator. The product page is live but not yet available for customers to purchase. You can check it out over on Orbx. Features Dewey Moore - 700ft uphill slope. Approach from the E. Simonds - 900ft uphill slope. approach from the SE. Vines - 1000 ft. Approach from the E. Rush Point Creek Fire Lookout - Seep uphill ridge landing possible from the north. Extremely dangerous. Makeshift helipad - at the Fire lookout for emergency purposes. Rangers have reported a high number of aerial predators at most locations. Beware of approach. Consider going around if possible. Recreational pilots are known for flying drones for aerial footage. Keep an eye out! Try not to disturb the wildlife. Fishing spots are available. The word is the salmon is really jumping this time of year. A couple of backcountry pilots about. Some have maps at camp if you are unsure of the area. Extensive vegetation overhaul for a complete immersion experience. Substantial terraforming to recreate real-world terrain. Airstrip ICAOs have been universalized due to all not having one -IDDM, IDSM, and IDVN. Many custom animations to bring the scenery alive - Ducks, salmon, drones, and eagles.
A brand new update for the Fenix A320 has just been released for customers who own the product. To be clear from the start, this is not the 'Block 2' update which will feature the new visual modelling, new EFB, and new IAE engine sets. This update, however, is focused on improving some of the flight dynamics, improving various pieces of art and sound, and also fixing an issue with high CPU usage. In an update post from Aamir on the Fenix Discord server, the new update has rectified the 'flap 3 drag' situation, along with polishing the VNAV. There have also been improvements in stability and performance in both the Fenix bootstrapper tool and the Fenix app itself. The full changelog is down below. This is an update to the already released V2 Block 1, which featured fly-by-wire updates, a new VNAV system and other avionics updates, some new displays, and performance optimizations. V2 Block 2 is still scheduled to release at the end of September. These updates continue to pave the way for future products for Fenix. So far, we know that they plan on releasing the A319 and the A321 by the end of the year as an expansion pack. You can obtain the update through the Fenix app or by logging into your account and downloading the latest version. A320 CFM V1.5.2.214 [SYSTEM] Adjusted G/A trigger Fixed high altitude speed constraint reported with LIRF approach Several crash fixes Fixed panel state issues with unable to start engines without cycling master levers Fixed DES engagement from cruise equal to ALT CST, dist to dest must be < 200nm (reported on one of the KPHX arrivals from FL340) Fixed G/A on wrong flaps conf target Fixed MANUAL leg's termination is not used as map ref point in plan mode Fixed speed/altitude constraints missing criteria Corrected restricting speed constraints below ECON on DES Corrected not restricting speed constraints above ECON on DES Improved ALT in DES Made LVLCH in DES mode more aggressive Reprioritised below profile and overspeed relationship Fixed occasional inccorect TOD placement over LNAV path Fixed routing after discontinuity+manual leg when inserting SID/STAR/VIAs High altitude speed constraints should appear in mach and be satisfied/ignored as such Unrestrictive speed constraints are ignored, the actual speed displayed on that waypoint including (SPD LIM) Added +/- is not allowed with speed constraint entry in MCDU -> FORMAT ERROR Allow empty CSTR value Fixed reversed L/DEV [FBW & AUTOFLIGHT] Retuned alpha protection to prevent oscillations Fixed blending bug in FLARE to GROUND MODE preventing correct blend being applied Adjusted FLARE MODE to GROUND MODE transition logic Adjusted FLARE MODE nose down controller with corrected data type Adjusted FLARE MODE sidestick input Nz feedback Adjusted spoiler deployment profile Adjusted elevator input Nz data processing during post-touchdown to fix nose-down smashing [FLIGHT MODEL] Adjusted Flap 3 drag values Adjusted rotation weight/feel for greater weight [ART & SOUND] Fixed overly bright cockpit in some scenarios Added SPEED BRAKE text on pedestal Fixed wind sound disappearing in cruise (who knew TAS could go above 500) Cockpit wind noise in high mach cruise improved Fixed N2 whine and buzzsaw LP bug (engines should sound better in cockpit & cabin now) Improved initial spool (20-50N1) sounds and balancing Fixed stereo width on AEVC and cockpit pack samples Taxiing sounds improved Nosewheel on runway lights sound improved Contactors improved (more to come in B2) Y elec pump volume adjusted Fuel pumps volume and balance adjusted
Following the announcement last week, RDPresets has released Stuttgart Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Stuttgart Airport (EDDS) is the primary gateway to the capital city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart. The single-runway international airport serves as a hub for Condor, Eurowings, and TUI fly Deutschland. With extensive European service and green areas surrounding the airport, Stuttgart Airport will make for an exciting destination for all flight simmers. The airport comes with a bunch of features including custom-modelled airport buildings, a fully replicated 3D interior (with 3D passengers), custom ground objects and accurate night lighting. Over 1000 clutter objects were placed on the apron and surrounding areas to make the airport as realistic as possible. You can buy your copy through Contrail for €17,80 (excluding VAT). It is also available through other stores such as SIMMARKET and directly through the RDPresets website. Features Animated Jetways Completely custom modelling and texturing with PBR textures on the whole airport Full Custom High Replica 3D Interior including 3D Passengers More than 1000+ clutter objects on the apron and surrounding area's Custom ground textures, faithfully recreating the asphalt differences like reality Performance optimizations Accurate night lighting Custom taxiway signage Ground traffic
Fly2High has released Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport (LYBE). The airport serves the capital city of Serbia, Belgrade. The airport was first opened in 1962, and named after the famous Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla in 2006. The airport serves a number of airlines with destinations in Europe and the Middle-East. Fly2High has set a certain level of quality expectation from themselves by now, and Belgrade Airport promises to meet that level yet again. Featuring a detailed rendition of the airport, with high quality modelling and detailed textures. The terminal features interior, while both the landside and airside of the airport appear full of vehicles and other details in the previews shared by the team. These details a vehicles include construction vehicles, as well as construction materials in appropriate places. On the airside, we can see some apron clutter with catering and pushback vehicles as well as cargo containers standing around. A full list of features can be found at the end of this article. Fly2High's Belgrade Airport is available exclusively through iniBuilds for £16.19 GBP. Features Custom VDGS Accurate simulation of the nearest Belgrade Nikola Tesla airport to the present Hand-made ground textures (Runways, aprons, paths, roads) Accurately modelled and positioned dynamic airport lighting Highly detailed models of all airport buildings, objects and surroundings Official GSX Profile included Good optimization of FPS
Developer RDPresets took to their Facebook page to announce that their latest airport scenery for MSFS will be Stuttgart Airport. Stuttgart Airport (EDDS/STR) is the primary gateway to the capital city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart. The single-runway international airport serves as a hub for Condor, Eurowings, and TUI fly Deutschland. With extensive European service and green areas surrounding the airport, Stuttgart Airport will make for an exciting destination for all flight simmers. According to the developer, RDPresets' Stuttgart Airport will be the developer's biggest airport project to-date and will feature high detail buildings, terminal interiors with 3D people, accurate ground markings, and more. From the photo previews provided in the announcement, the hard work and detail RDPresets has put into this scenery is evident. Thankfully, the scenery is dropping this Monday, August 21st, so the flight simulator community won't have to wait too long to get their hands on this airport. FSElite will continue to provide updates on the upcoming release of RDPresets' Stuttgart Airport scenery.
After releasing the a Montréal-Trudeau International Airport update a little over two weeks ago, MK-Studios has released another update for their first Canadian airport scenery. This comprehensive update not only addresses bug fixes and improvements but also includes some new features. Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (CYUL/YUL) version 1.1.0 focuses on improving the overall look and feel of the scenery. Most notably, the taxiway layout has been updated to accurately reflect all the taxiways at the real YUL Airport. In addition, all taxiways and aprons have received updated, more realistic textures. Regarding airport objects, the Air Canada hanger now features interior modeling and animated doors, the barrier fence at the rear of the terminal has been adjusted, general aviation parking has been added, and more. The team noted in their Facebook post for the update that they are already working on version 1.2.0 to address terrain and airport surroundings issues. MK-Studios' Montréal-Trudeau International Airport version 1.1.0 is now available for download through all of MK Studios' partner stores. If you do not yet own the scenery, you can purchase it for around €17 from partner shops such as Contrail, SimMarket, and Orbx Direct. Changelog Extensive optimization Updated taxiway layout (new taxiways) Updated taxiway and apron textures Air Canada animated doors and hangar interior (use NAV light and hide/show yoke) Additional handcrafting around the airport GA parking added Fixed barrier facing on the rear of the terminal 3D Animated people test placement General fixes
FSElite interviews the team behind Horizon Simulations, who have brought compatibility modifications and enhancements to the LatinVFR Airbus series, the Kuro Boeing 787-8 and the Salty 747-8 Mega Pack for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Who are Horizon Simulations? Horizon Simulations is an international group of dedicated developers, quality assurance testers, 3D artists, and livery creators. In total, we have roughly 40 members of staff from Hungary, England, Scotland, Wales, Greece, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Romania, France, the United States, Canada, Egypt, Spain, Singapore, Poland, Australia, Thailand, Brazil and Japan. The idea and the concept of Horizon Simulations started with our Co-Founder & Lead Developer: Toby Cook releasing the first FlyByWire compatibility mod for the LatinVFR A321neo. Who has been joined by our other Co-Founder, Public Relations Manager & Lead QA Tester: Mark Szutor. We brought together a handful of people at first to continue work on the A321neo, and we have started thinking about the future, so with a few people already on board both on the Development and Quality Assurance Teams we came up with the brand name Horizon Simulations, and have moving forward ever since. After about half a year, to six months into this venture, we have also had the fortune and pleasure to completely merge our respective development teams (and soon our products as well) with WorldlinersRS. Even better moving forward you'll see some more collaboration between us and other freeware and payware teams out there. How did you venture into Flight Simulation development? Toby Cook - Co-Founder, Lead Developer I embarked on my journey in flight simulator development through FSX conversions. Youmight be familiar with one of my notable conversions, the Canadian Mods A330, which later evolved into the extensively customised project known as the Mega Pack A330. My inclination towards computer coding and tinkering with various elements has always been apparent. My core motivation in flight sim development revolves around creating a wider array of aircraft that I personally would want to have in my virtual hangar. This often drove me to craft modifications that fulfilled this aspiration. A prime example of my contributions is the original Captain Sim Salty Compatibility mod that I conceptualised and implemented. Horizon Simulations has fulfilled my dreams as a developer, and I am immensely grateful to Mark and the entire team behind it. While I may not be as actively involved in development these days due to time constraints, I take immense pride in observing the remarkable accomplishments of the community even in my absence. Mark Szutor - Co-Founder, PR Manager, Lead QA Tester I began my journey as an ardent and zealous flight simulator enthusiast from the era of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. Even during those early days, I found myself intrigued by the notion of potentially venturing into the realm of modding for simulator-related products. My academic pursuits were aligned with this interest, although the unpredictable nature of life introduced obstacles that prevented the complete realisation of the goals I had set for myself during that period. Subsequently, the emergence of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and Toby's FlyByWire Compatibility mod designed for the LatinVFR A321neo brought a pivotal turning point. Recognising the immense potential of this endeavour, I reached out to Toby to explore the possibility of contributing as a QA Tester. The subsequent chapters of this tale form an integral part of history. Since that pivotal conversation well over a year ago, my involvement and responsibilities have experienced substantial growth. I've found myself wearing multiple hats, as I've taken on increasingly diverse roles within the flight simulation community. Collaboratively with Rob, I've assumed a pivotal role in spearheading development endeavours focused on enhancing the LatinVFR Airbus lineup. Our joint efforts ...
I would be remiss not to start my review with a quick introduction of what exactly A2A Simulations represents in our world as virtual pilots. For the uninitiated, A2A Simulations have historically been known by many as the pinnacle of general aviation aircraft add-ons. Started by Scott Gentile back in 2003 in the Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator space, the A2A team has since grown to be a team of programmers and enthusiasts hell-bent on creating aircraft that feel as alive as the real airplanes that they represent. A2A's philosophy of developing add-ons using their Accu-Sim engine, without the limitations present by the host flight simulator platform, was unveiled in 2008 and attracted die hards including not only armchair pilots like myself but student pilots training on FAA-certified flight simulators. Let's see if A2A brough their A-game in this new generation of desktop simulation. I initially planned to structure my review as a story in which I fly four legs from Stow, MA to Suffolk, VA, then Savannah, GA, and ultimately Key West, FL. I was inspired by a childhood trip I took with my family on my father and his flying partner's Bonanza F33A. The idea would be that I'd fly each leg with a focus on one or two specific aspects of the airplane. I completed each leg with no hassle. However, it turns out that it takes more than just a few flights to squeeze all the juice out of this proverbial lemon. As a result, I've defaulted to the standard review approach of splitting it up the old-fashioned way with some references here and there to the four legs I initially flew. Installation, Setup, and Tablet Options In line with most other payware add-ons, the installation was an absolute breeze. I purchased it the moment I woke up to the news that it was released and had it installed in 15 minutes. There's really not much else to say except for I've heard that the included tablet will alert users if an update is available. I personally didn't experience this as I downloaded each update before firing up the sim but nonetheless, it's a nice little addition. On to the setup options, which by all intents and purposes is pretty dang cool. There is a plethora of options within the tablet to customize your product experience which add function and panache, making the aircraft truly yours. Starting with the controls tab of the tablet, you can select from a variety of GPS options from old school cool "No GPS," to the GNS 430, GNS 530, a combination of the 430 and 530, or the GTN 750/TDS 750Xi (both of which require that you purchase the add-ons from PMS50 or TDS, respectively). Additionally, you have some nice options like turning on/off gyro drift, gyro sound, and adding visible passengers. You can select cockpit persistence which means that each button and knob is in the exact position you left them on your previous outing. I personally have that option selected as I love to be reminded of my inability to appropriately apply the checklist procedures on shutdown. I also have the "persistence by livery" option selected so that I treat at least one airframe with respect, leaving me with the rest to batter and bruise as I see fit. Finally, the advanced options give users the choice to change the wear rate, failure rate, turbulence strength, etc. There's a lot here folks, so this list is by no means exhaustive. The fuel and payload tab is where you can include passengers, baggage, and fuel. Notably, it includes information on your center of gravity, wing and power loadings, overall weight, etc. One neat feature of this page is that you can hit the "Update Digital Engine Monitor" to automagically update the EDM 830 engine monitor instead of faffing about with the settings manually. The maintenance tab provides a ton of really cool insights which I'll cover a little later in the review but in terms of setup, this is where you can pimp your ride. You have the option of including tip tanks, stabilator tips, wing gap seals, wing root fairings, sli...
DominicDesignTeam has released El Paso International Airport (KELP) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. El Paso International Airport is a large airport located 4 miles northeast of the city of El Paso, Texas, United States. It serves the city of El Paso and the surrounding region, including parts of West Texas, Southern New Mexico, and Northern Mexico. The airport is served by numerous airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, American Eagle, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines. El Paso also has a large cargo facility on site with cargo operations by Amerijet International, FedEx Express, DHL Aviation and UPS Airlines. DominicDesignTeam's rendition of El Paso includes a high-quality depiction of the terminal and surrounding buildings, PBR texturing, dynamic lighting, realistic ground markings, custom jetways, train animations, AI parking codes, a detailed terminal interior and animated passengers. You can purchase El Paso International Airport (KELP) for Microsoft Flight Simulator from SimMarket for €19.80 (Excluding VAT) here. Features PBR Textures Dynamic Lighting Real Ground Markings Custom, painstakingly hand-crafted pavement, showcasing all imperfections including dirt Custom jetway Custom animation object, passenger animation, train airport animations AI Aircraft parking codes
Bulgaria's capital city receives its latest scenery in Microsoft Flight Simulator with Afl0Sim releasing the MSFS version of their Sofia scenery (ICAO: LBSF). Having released various Bulgarian and Romanian sceneries on other platforms, the team have branched out into the highly popular simulator with an incredibly overhauled version of their Sofia International Airport scenery. The scenery comes with an accurate depiction of the ground layout, moving jetways and people and more intricate details, such as the Lufthansa Technik facility and various retired aircraft from national carrier Bulgaria Air. Sofia Airport has one runway at 3600m long (11,811ft), an ILS approach on both ends, RNP approaches and a VOR approach. With a large parking apron, the airport welcomes a variety of airlines, ranging from low-cost carriers to international scheduled and chartered flights. You can purchase a copy of Afl0Sim Sofia for MSFS at simmarket.com for €14.89 (excluding VAT).
Welcome to our weekly series: Flying Fridays! With so much content out there and choice for flying, it's always fun to see what the community are actually up to in the virtual skies. That is why we want to see what you're flying this weekend. This is also our opportunity to re-cap some of the cool releases from the week and provide you with some personal recommendations. Where are you flying this weekend? Tell us in the comment section where you're flying this weekend. Give us screenshots, routings and details. As for me, this weekend I will be taking the A2A Comanche up in the skies across the South-West of England across the countryside. Starting off in Gloucester and then finding my way down to Cornwall for a spot of lunch before heading back. Win a Giftcard for Contrail Tell us in the comments where you are flying this weekend. We'll then take a random person who comments and give them a free 5 Euro gift card to spend at Contrail. We'll close the comments on Sunday afternoon and then pick a winner on Monday morning. Thanks to Contrail for being a supporter of Flying Fridays! Cool Recent Releases or News this Week FlightSimLabs Concorde for Prepar3D v5 Orbx's London City for X-Plane 12 Aerosoft working on the A321neo Vote on where FlightSimExpo 2024 will be held Something From Contrail The Contrail store has hundreds of products to choose from. What is cool is how you can sort them to find things that you specifically want to find. As I am looking to do some GA flying this weekend, I could give a quick glance at the best-selling GA airports on the site to help give me some inspiration. What would be cool in the future is if I could break that down into countries or specific regions. Personal Recommendation I had a quick play around in the Azores in the week, and MM Simulations Horta Airport is a great addition if you like some island-hopping fun. They've done a good job at recreating the airport, with great visuals and good performance. You should check it out. What would you like to see from Flying Fridays? Tell us down below how we can make this small feature better for you.
Orbx has released London City Airport (EGLC) for X-Plane 12. London City Airport is located right in the heart of the English capital. It's known for its iconic steep approach over the city, with sweeping views of the skyline. The product comes with a bunch of features such as satellite imagery, accurate terminal buildings and models, along with a custom mesh suited to the unique properties of the airport. Orbx has also made sure that the airport is accurate and up-to-date based on the latest airport layout. You can buy London City Airport for X-Plane 12 from OrbxDirect for $29.99 AUD. Features Updated airport layout Updated Satellite imagery for the airport and surroundings areas Updated Terminal and buildings models Upgraded default scenery for surrounding areas and customs POIs XP12 animated 3D Vegetation Custom mesh Control tower interior
The long awaited supersonic Concorde jet-liner from Flight Sim Labs has been released for P3DV4 and V5. The release comes just 6 days after the release candidate of the plane was pushed out to testers at the end of last week, and following over 3 years of development and marketing. According to the company's website, the Concorde for P3D pushes the boundaries of desktop flight simulation further than ever. It is built using a wholly new visual model, and brings an intriguing new virtual crew system (VCS) into the fore. The VCS will handle the roles of first office and flight engineer for you, meaning that you as the captain can focus on the flying. The Concorde for P3D also includes a completely new sound set captured from the original Olympus 593 MKII engines sported by the Concorde. Authentic recordings from the aircraft's final year of service have been obtained by the team to create the sound set, which includes the hum of gyroscopes, the constant whir of cooling fans, and the subtle undertones of electrical equipment powering the 1960s flight deck. Also included in the sound set is a sound-cone simulation, which includes the iconic double boom as the aircraft flies at over 20 miles per minute, more than double the speed of sound. For your $79.95USD (approximately €73 before taxes) you also get over 100 individually crafted Concorde routes to choose from, which are based on real-world data. The Flight Sim Labs team say that this will mean a "thrilling and educational" ride awaits simmers willing to take the plunge with this handful of an airplane. The Concorde can be puchased on Flight Sim Labs' website linked here. A full product description from the website is included below. Product Description / Unique Features Authentic flight model that operates with exceptional fidelity to real-world performance data. The precision of our simulation is showcased by its adherence to a remarkably narrow margin of accuracy. Every aspect, from takeoff to supersonic cruise and landing, mirrors the genuine experience. Immerse yourself in the intricacies of Concorde's flight dynamics as you navigate within this meticulously calibrated range of real-world performance. Experience an array of special effects that elevate realism: remarkable reheat visuals, dynamic cockpit, cabin, and external lighting with authentic radiance. Daytime lighting dynamically shifts, while wing vortices add to the immersion. Explore a world where cutting-edge effects combine, creating an unparalleled simulation of aviation authenticity. Stay ahead with our advanced VOLMET simulation. Tune in to VHF stations spanning Europe and global HF stations for real-time weather updates within range. Our bespoke Concorde flight maps intricately outline VOLMET stations, empowering you to track weather effortlessly. Stay informed and in control on your Concorde journey. Experience enhanced convenience through external device support for INS and the HP200LX Palmtop Computer, our gateway to the Concorde Planning and Performance System. Seamlessly plan, monitor flights, print route briefings, and pre-file with networks like VATSIM, all from the comfort of your chosen device. Explore a collection of more than 45 authentic Concorde liveries, spanning its 27-year operational history. A distinctive trait of Flight Sim Labs' Concorde is the interactive effect of aircraft paint on overall skin temperature during supersonic flight. Caution is required; excessively dark-colored wing or fuselage paint choices could
Heatblur Simulations recently took to their Facebook page to share the exciting news that the development of their long-awaited F-4E for DCS is nearing the finish line. The team also alluded to some of their other upcoming projects. The McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom was the most widely produced variant of the famous F-4 Phantom II family, with 1,370 aircraft built. With a top speed of 1,485 MPH and upgraded engines and electronic systems, it's no wonder that the F-4E became a popular and dependable jet. The first F-4E was delivered to the United States Air Force in 1967, and interestingly, the aircraft flew for the United States Air Force Thunderbirds from 1969-1974. In their post, the Heatblur Simulations team stated that they are in the "last miles" of the development process and are working tirelessly to get the aircraft ready for release as soon as possible. While the aircraft's development has been a lengthy process, the team is ensuring that their F-4E will be the most accurate and system-rich depiction of the aircraft. Currently, the team is focused on the finishing touches of the more complex systems, like Jester 2.0, and ensuring the aircraft performs as expected on launch day. Besides the F-4E, the team has said they will provide upcoming information about the release of the F-14 for MSFS and updates for the DCS: F-14, Viggen, and other products that are expected to release this year. For now, the team is focused on providing tangible results before sharing this new information.
The marketing for the upcoming FlightSimLabs Concorde on Prepar3D is now in full gear. With the recent video and confirmation that release candidate builds are being tested, it was only a matter of time until we saw it being Livestreamed to a wider audience. Twitch streamer FlyboyAviation is currently LIVE streaming Concorde in Prepar3D from London Heathrow to John F Kennedy in New York. Not only is he showing the aircraft off, he is also being joined by Andy Wilson from FSLabs. Both will be able to answer your questions as you get a taste of the supersonic plane. Click here to watch. If you don't have time now, it will likely be able to be watched back in the future, or you can watch a departure video put together by FSLabs. We will continue to be on the look out for more news on Concorde for Prepar3D.
Scenery developer Verticalsim has announced that they will be bringing Provo Municipal Airport (KPVU) to Microsoft Flight Simulator. The team announced the news on Facebook, confirming their commitment to making larger regional airports and smaller municipal airports across the US. The airport was teased a few days earlier by the team, with them saying that locals "love Beehives and Skiing." Situated in the city of Provo, Utah, you'll find this bustling commercial airport. Embraced by picturesque water and mountain landscapes, the circle-to-land approach to runway 13 promises an exhilarating experience for passionate flight enthusiasts. Provo also has a newly constructed terminal, offering an array of convenient routes serviced by Allegiant and Breeze airlines. Additionally, it stands as a hub of activity for general aviation and business jet endeavors, boasting an abundance of FBOs. Whilst the airport may still be in development, Verticalsim was able to provide the feature list. This includes 0.5cm/res orthoimagery, high-resolution texturing throughout, animated passengers in the terminal, and use of proper airport lighting. The full feature list is stated down below. We'll be sure to keep you updated on any news from Verticalsim about Provo Municipal Airport. Features Custom 0.5cm/res ortho 2023 Layout High-resolution texturing on all major objects AI-Logic taxiway layout for AI traffic programs Animated passengers in the terminal Custom taxiway signage Proper airport lighting (wig-wags, obstruction lights, etc.) Usage of parallax & LOD's for minimal performance loss
After last week's announcement that FlightSimLabs has given a release candidate to the testing team, the team is back with a lengthy and detailed video of their upcoming Concorde for Prepar3D. The nearly 12 minute video shows the cockpit and instruments as the flight crew prepares the plane for it's transatlantic journey from New York to London. According to Andrew Wilson, who shared the video over on the FSLabs forums, the goal of the video is to give people an idea of the 'Virtual Crew System' that the team has been developing for the Concorde. The VCS includes roles for the First Officer and Flight Engineer and will help you manage the workload during the flight by going through cockpit procedures, scans and checklists. The VCS includes a voice set for the British pilots, as can be heard in the video, as well as for the French pilots. Additionally, as can also be heard in the video, there are seven additional sound sets for the ground crew that you can interact with. A cabin crew simulation has also been included into the Concorde, similar to the developer's Airbus. The cabin crew sounds have been tailored for British Airways and Air France, who of course operated the famous aircraft.
PMDG HQ is clearly going through a busy period right now. With liveries dropping left and right for PC and Xbox users for their 737, a number of pushed updates for their product line, and the introduction of Mathijs Kok joining the team, it's been a bit of a whirlwind. All that aside, the news hasn't slowed down from the team with a somewhat detailed update from head-honcho Robert Randazzo. 737 Updates The first round of updates in Rob's post was all about the 737 and the various performance improvements the aircraft has seen. In particular, the performance updates are most beneficial for lower-end PCs and those on Xbox. Although, the update is not just limited to improving the performance on the system, but also the realism of engine spooling and further adjustments to AFDS roll mode. The recent round of updates were summarised as follows: Improved memory use for older PC / XBox S users Improved memory use on all hardware for users who do not run in ULTRA settings. Improvements to initialization sequence to reduce tendency for platform to "kick" the WASM module during initialization. corrected engine spool behavior in low RPM ranges adjustments to engine windmill start behavior to compensate for platform deficiency further adjustments to AFDS roll mode control law various back-end changes related to tablet->airplane communications in preparation for tablet release. A quick note: due to some technical issue, PMDG is advising that users download the latest installer via their PMDG account, rather than through the micro-updater in the PMDG Ops Center. Tablet Internal discussions are now happening about releasing the long-awaited tablet. Testing continues, with the latest round of testing seeing PMDG making changes both functionally and visually to the tablet. PMDG continues to remain quiet in terms of previews and release dates until the they get closer with the final build. Boeing 777 Robert has made good on sharing frequent progress updates on the 777 for Microsoft Flight Simulator over the past few months. Whilst typically those updates are somewhat lacking in detail, this week's update had a bit more meat on the bones. According to the post, the team is "deep into adjusting the fly-by-wire system on the 777," and collecting the data to make sure that it matches the real-world aircraft performance. Robert said that "far testing is going exceedingly well, and the refactoring that took place over the past year has lead to exceedingly positive results and a 777 that flies appropriately, like a 777." As system implementation continues, so does integrating the flight deck. Fine detail work is now complete, but switch movement, system control, and other refinements are now being worked on. Another area that has seen extensive work is how displays have received an entire rewrite, allowing PMDG to take full advantage of MSFS' far more capable rendering engine. Modeling has also been given some love lately with new animations being used on all exterior model animations. The cabin has also been given plenty of details, with Robert saying that the "interior is beginning to look exquisite." Whilst it is not clear how long we still need to wait until we see the PMDG 777 in Microsoft Flight Simulator, the team has been discussing beta testing internally. There are still items that need completing, but this is a positive sign indeed. Closing Robert said that the team continues to work hard on a range of products at PMDG HQ. The growth allowed by Microsoft Flight Simulator has meant the team can grow, deliver products faster, and provide updates at a pace faster than seen before. Whilst not everything will be immediately visible, we will be able to see them when things are a lot more cooked. We saw a small peak of this with Kok joining the team in an undisclosed role. As usual, we'll continue to follow the latest from PMDG and update you.
A new video shared over at the Bluebird Simulations website has been published which shows the progress that has been made towards the aircraft's flight deck. In the video, which comes in at just over a minute, we see the glare shield, MCP, PFD, thrust levels, backlighting, circuit breakers, overhead panels and more. The team at Bluebird share in the adjoining section of the website that the flight deck model for the 757 has been meticulously designed by the team with all their dedication and expertise. The flight deck is 'highly detailed' and is being continually refined so as to achieve an 'unparalleled level of immersion'. We also learn from this part of the website that the flight deck has already been through four iterations as the Bluebird team continually refine and enhance the visual fidelity. All of that work has been done to 'meet the standards expected by flight simulation enthusiasts'. Also on the website, there is a section on the external model although here we aren't treated to any new details or video. We do learn that the team is including weathered paint on the wings though, suggesting that the final product will look more like a well worn and used 757 than something brand new off of the factory line. It is all looking pretty well polished and complete now, which will lead many simmers to speculate as to when the plane will release. The team state publicly in their FAQ that the forecast release date for both the -200 and -300 variants is Q4 2023, although this could slip to early 2024 depending on some undisclosed factors. Passenger variants of the Bluebird Simulations Boeing 757-200 and -300 for Microsoft Flight Simulator are intended to ship as a single base package, with the team's stated goal being to include both the Pratt and Rolls Royce engines as well as both variants of winglets. As for the freighters, those are planned for an expansion pack which will include specialised systems and models specific to this type of operation. FSElite will continue to keep you abeam of any updates relating to the upcoming release window of the Bluebird 757 as and when we receive them.
Planning for FlightSimExpo 2024 is well underway and the team is looking at the community to help decide on where next year's event should be held. As the event is North America's community-driven flight simulation conference, they are looking to the community to help decide on where next year's show will be held. In the poll, five different locations have been short-listed. This includes Las Vegas, Kansas City, Cleveland, San Diego, and St. Louis. The cities have been chosen based on the team searching high and low for hotels and venues that would be able to host the sheer volume of people, plus the equipment, whilst providing competitive and fair hotel rates for those visiting. The Flight Simulation Association team (the people behind the conference) has faced unique challenges in securing a location for 2024 thanks to large scale events making a comeback following the COVID-19 Pandemic, with space now more at a premium. With that said, it appears the team have found a range of locations that would suit a 2024 show. At the time of writing, FlightSimExpo 2023 is looking to take place between June 21st - June 23rd 2024. As with 2023's event, the plan would be to conduct seminars on Friday, followed by a showfloor full of the latest products over the weekend. There will also be a range of group activities planned regardless of location. If you want to make your voice heard about where FlightSimExpo 2024 should be held, you can take part in the poll now. Check back on our past articles to see what 2023's show was like.
Whilst we already know that Origami Studios is working on a completely revamped version of Gatwick Airport (EGKK) for Microsoft Flight Simulator, the team is also hard at work on bringing an updated version to X-Plane 12. Over on Facebook, the team shared a range of new previews of the project in its current state. From what we can see, there are plenty of improvements to the scenery that is also taking full advantage of the power of X-Plane 12's new feature set. In the previews, Origami Studios has said that they are using an "unreleased XP12 Fog Lighting feature" to create some of the effects seen. Furthermore, specific 'weather maps' have also been used to change the ground in certain weather conditions, i.e. snow. Finally, Origami Studios confirmed that the X-Plane 12 update will be free for existing customers.
Reddit user Fighter2309 has found some very interesting news on a German Government website with regard to future development plans at Aerosoft. In a very public and non-exclusive document, it would appear that Aerosoft is working on an A321NEO in addition to their previously announced A330NEO. The news comes from a document issued by the German Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate. The document indicates that Aerosoft has received a Government grant of €459,001 in order to develop the "AirbusNEO series as a DLC for Microsoft Flight Simulator." The document also states that Aerosoft is to develop both the A330NEO and A321NEO in "as true to detail as possible as a 3D model." The document highlights that this is to bring important onboard systems, a detailed cockpit, and sound effects to aircraft products using state-of-the-art tools. The grant is valid until the end of February 2025. Whilst this is a Government document, it does not mean that this has been funded specifically for Government work, nor is it an indication of Government involvement. The grant comes from a much larger pool, whereby the German Government has been looking at the tech and video game industry to help boost the economy and reputation of game development in the country. €50 million has been given out in grants to over 400 companies all with the intention of developing or supporting the video game and tech industry within Germany. We already know that Aerosoft had intentions of developing the A330NEO after the A330 CEO (current engine option), which was recently shown to be in a heavy testing period. It remains to be seen when or how the A321NEO fits into the schedule. Fully aware that the featured image is not a NEO aircraft, but was the one used in the document.
Welcome to our new weekly series: Flying Fridays! With so much content out there and choice for flying, it's always fun to see what the community are actually up to in the virtual skies. That is why we want to see what you're flying this weekend. This is also our opportunity to re-cap some of the cool releases from the week and provide you with some personal recommendations. Cool Recent Releases Ponta Delgada (iniBuilds) SIAI-Marchetti Leonardo SF 260 (Sim Skunk Works) Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (MK-Studios) Horta Airport (MM Simulations) Cockspur Cessna C162 Contrail Summer Sale Our partner Contrail is currently hosting a Summer Sale, where you can get up to 50% off. Aircraft like the Airbus A318 from LatinVFR and the Tecnam P2006T MKII from Flight Sim Studio AG are currently discounted. There are also a bunch of cool airports like Lisbon, Tenerife, and Tampa Airport are all on sale. 208 products are on sale right now. Personal Recommendation One of my favourite personal products of recent years was Self Loading Cargo. I love adding a bit of fiction to my virtual flights and SLC is a great tool for this. That's why I was pretty excited to finally see version 1.6 finally out in the wild. Go check it out, it's pretty neat and the update is actually great. Where are you flying this weekend? With the release of the Fenix A320 update, many of our team are taking the plane out for a spin. What and where are you flying this weekend? Win a Giftcard for Contrail Tell us in the comments where you are flying this weekend. We'll then take a random person who comments and give them a free 5 Euro gift card to spend at Contrail. We'll close the comments on Sunday afternoon and then pick a winner on Monday morning. Thanks to Contrail for being a supporter of Flying Fridays! See you next week.
Developer FeelThere recently took to their Facebook page to announce the release of their first Mexican airport scenery for MSFS with their new Puerto Vallarta Airport scenery. Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (MMPR/PVR) is the main gateway to the popular Mexican vacation destination. The airport is the 7th busiest airport in Mexico and serves as a focus city for regional airline TAR Aerolíneas. With Puerto Vallarta being a popular tourist destination, there is extensive airline service to Mexico, Canada, the United States, and even TUI Airways Boeing 787 service to Manchester. In 2020, it was announced that Puerto Vallarta Airport would undergo a 4 billion pesos expansion to build a new terminal, leading to a roughly 60% increase in passenger traffic. FeelThere's rendition of Puerto Vallarta reflects the present-day version of the airport with PBR texturing on all of the buildings, an updated AFCAD, modeling of nearby hotels and city buildings, realistic decals, taxi lines, and more. To improve the realism, the scenery also features improved night lighting and objects and clutter scattered throughout the airport. You can purchase FeelThere's Puerto Vallarta Airport scenery directly from their website for $18.99. However, the scenery is on sale for $17.09 at the time of writing.
DC Designs has released another military fighter aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The developer this time adds the renowned McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II to its considerable line-up of aircraft. The American built is a two-seat twin engine jet that first flew in 1958 and is still being used by some air forces around the world. The United States, who was by and large the largest operator of the aircraft, retired the plane from combat use in 1996 and as a target drone in 2016. DC Designs has recreated the F-4E, F-4J and FGR2 versions of the Phantom. The F-4E was used in a tactical reconnaissance role, while the F-4J was modified for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps for carrier use. The FGR2 was a version of the aircraft that was used by the RAF. The J-79 and Rolls-Royce Sprey engines feature custom 'smoky' effects. All aircraft support MSFS effects, such as G vapour, icing, contrails and more. The aircraft are also fully compatible with the MSFS arrestor hook and launch system, allowing them to be used with the moving carriers in the sim. According to the product page, the aircraft have been modelled to a high level of detail, including both the pilot and RIO cockpit with fully animated systems. Aircraft systems include in the package are a TACAN system, INS, an operational radar with Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground modes, an auto-pilot and more. The full feature list can be found at the end of this article. DC Designs F-4 Phantom II is available right now for €30,95 through Just Flight. Features Model Accurately modelled F-4E, F-4J and British FGR2 Phantoms, each with unique animations for each variant Custom effects for the 'smoky' J-79 and Rolls-Royce Spey engines Full use of all MSFS effects such as G vapour, icing, contrails and heat exhaust blur Arrestor hook and launch system compatible with MSFS moving aircraft carriers Numerous liveries - see the Detailed Description below Cockpit 3D virtual cockpit based on the F-4J Phantom Fully animated instruments and controls Custom-coded INS with LAT/LONG input requirements for complex navigation Operational radar with Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground modes Internal crew custom-modelled and coded for visibilty based on user preference Aircraft systems Radar Inertial Navigation System Fuel system - transfer and cross-feed Hydraulic system Oxygen system Air conditioning system - cabin pressurisation and air conditioning, emergency depressurisation controls Thermal anti-icing system, including airframe and engine anti-icing Autopilot, including pitch and bank hold TACAN and VOR navigation, including navigator IFF and TACAN panels Lighting Independent lighting controls for Captain and Co-Pilot Dimmable dynamic flood lighting for a highly immersive and customisable night environment Sounds MSFS-native (Wwise) sound package taking full advantage of the new MSFS capabilities Rolls-Royce Spey and J-79 engine recordings from the real aircraft FDE and effects Realistic and accurate flight dynamics based on real-world performance and handling data via actual aircraft manuals Other features PDF manual Multiple interior and exterior camera presets, including wing views Paint kit included so you can create your own paint schemes MSFS checklists
Fly X Simulations have released Teesside International Airport (EGNV) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Teesside International Airport, formerly known as Durham Tees Valley Airport, is an international airport located about 10 miles southwest of Middlesborough in the North East of England. The airport serves Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire. Teesside is served by a number of airlines, including Ryanair, KLM, Loganair and TUI Airways, with destinations in the United Kingdom, Europe and the Mediterranean. FedEx Express also operates cargo services to and from Hangar 1 at the airport. Fly X Simulations rendition of Teesside International Airport includes a detailed replica of the airport as it is today, highly detailed terminal and surrounding buildings, high-resolution PBR texturing, texture baking on all buildings, terminal interior, custom objects, custom orthophoto and more. You can purchase Fly X Simulations Teesside International Airport (EGNV) from the iniBuilds Store for £11.99 (Excluding VAT) here. Features The most detailed replica of Teesside Airport and the terminal & surrounding buildings Custom surrounding models and features included. All materials created with PBR textures Shading and occlusion (texture baking) effects on all airport buildings & high-resolution textures Use of native, highly efficient gITF models Custom orthophoto for the airport and surrounding areas
Fenix Simulations has just released the biggest update for the Fenix A320 since it was first released last year. This all-new version builds on the original with improvements to performance, flight modeling, systems, displays, and much more. V2 Block 1 contains fly-by-wire updates, a new VNAV system and other avionics updates, some new displays, and performance optimizations. Fenix shared some results from the update that highlights the performance gains users will see. The changelog, down below, is massive. Aamir even admitted this is a truncated version of a changelog, due to the sheer number of changes being massive (over 1000). Despite the improvements, there are a few known issues in this build. But none of them were seen by the team as worth delaying the overall build to the wider community by a few weeks. Aamir also added, "whilst all of this is very exciting, there is a very important caveat that should be noted. You are about to go from a mature release that has been proven over 9 months by thousands of users, to a build run earlier today, and tested by a couple dozen testers. Whilst we've worked hard to ensure there are no super egregious issues that'll ruin the fun, we do anticipate a fair few bumps and lumps in this version as we go from an in-house testing team, to the wild west of the entire customer base." This is the first 'block' of the v2 release for the A320. Block 2 is due to happen at the end of September and will see improvements to the visual modeling, a new version of the EFB, and the long-awaited IAE engines (plus improved engine modeling for the CFM engines). Once we learn more about Block 2, we'll let you know. Of course, this is all paving way for future products for Fenix. So far, we know that they plan on releasing the A319 and the A321 by the end of the year as an expansion pack. You can head to your Fenix account now and download the update. If you don't already own the Fenix A320, you can buy it for £49.99 from their website. Changelog A320 CFM V1.5.1.193 [APP] Removed legacy display render options Forced default to new display renderer Added checkbox to enable legacy display selection, CPU only Added checkbox to enable display synchronisation Added "?" next to options in order to explain functionality, replacing tooltips [EFB] Fixed weight and balance discrepancies Updated layout to 180 PAX Updated EFB Map to support AMDB and new Navi Maps Removed loading bars from Map and Charts to facilitate faster load-in [DISPLAYS] Complete rewrite and redrawing of PFD encompassing fonts, colours, element size and positioning, matched pixel by pixel to real display. Complete rewrite and redrawing of ND encompassing fonts, colours, element size and positioning, matched pixel by pixel to real display. Complete rewrite and redrawing of Upper ECAM encompassing fonts, colours, element size and positioning, matched pixel by pixel to real display. Complete rewrite and redrawing of Lower ECAM encompassing fonts, colours, element size and positioning, matched pixel by pixel to real display. Complete rewrite and redrawing of FCU encompassing fonts, colours, element size and positioning, matched pixel by pixel to real display. Complete rewrite and redrawing of Clock Display encompassing fonts, colours, element size and positioning, matched pixel by pixel to real display. Increased brightness of all displays for better visibility in bright daylight. Rewrote the entire display render pipeline to increase performance, the old display pipeline is still supported but not recommended. [FM, FBW & AUTOFLIGHT] Rudder authority retuned system side to provide consistent behavioural output to the user Fixed a bug with aileron ground-to-normal blending law, now correctly blending in 0.5s per the real aircraft Retuned aileron response times during blending Retuned and refined fly-by-wire implementation re Yaw x Roll relationship, the aircraft should now more appropriately compensate for roll moments induced by introducing rudde...
SIMBITWORLD released a big update for their A Pilot's Life: Chapter 2 last week and the team is back, but this time, with a new expansion pack for the software. The new product, PA Expansion adds onboard announcements to your flights. The product allows you to choose from 14 different language accents that are automatically applied, depending on your current employer (from within A Pilot's Life). This is spread across 12 different PA sets, including boarding, safety demo, take-off, final descent, and landing. You can adjust the volume, turn on/off certain announcements and change the default accent if you so wish. You will need to own A Pilot's Life: Chapter 2 in order to use the PA Expansion as this is not a standalone product. You can view the full feature list and included accents below. A Pilot's Life is a tool that allows you to build up your own career within your flight simulator. You can buy A Pilot's Life: Chapter 2 PA Expansion from SIMMARKET for €7.00. Features Multilingual Accents: the expansion will include initially 14 different language accents that can be handled automatically based on your current employer or manually selected by preference. Realistic Experience: we used AI voice generation to create authentic and natural-sounding announcements, enhancing the overall in-flight experience. Comprehensive Coverage: from pre-flight boarding instructions to in-flight updates and post-landing announcements, this expansion ensures that all crucial stages of your flight are covered. Customization Options: you will be able to set the volume of the announcements, enable or disable them altogether and as mentioned before, choose your default accent if you wish to do so. Easy Integration: implementing the PAs in our APL V2 system is very easy. You will only need to activate the purchased expansion and everything else will be handled by APL V2. No need to install a separate application or update anything. PAs and Language Accents 12 PAs: TEST PA. BOARDING, DOOR CLOSE, SAFETY DEMONSTRATION, TAKE-OFF, SEATBELT OFF, SEATBELT ON, CRUISE, MEAL SERVING, FINAL DESCENT, LANDING, TAXI-IN LANGUAGE ACCENTS: (AR) ARABIC, (AU) AUSTRALIAN, (CH) CHINESE, (DE) GERMAN, (ES) SPANISH, (FR) FRENCH, (GR) GREEK, (IN) INDIAN, (IT) ITALIAN, (NO) NORDIC, (RO) ROMANIAN, (RU) RUSSIAN, (UK) BRITISH, (US) UNITED STATES
The move for Aerosoft to its own dedicated hub has meant that the development updates on the Aerosoft A330 for Microsoft Flight Simulator are now a bit different than they once were. The latest update from them showcases the testing process the team is going through to make sure the A330 is ready for the sim. We last heard through their 'snapshots' that elements like VNAV were causing a few issues. However, a more detailed post highlights the volume of bugs the team is now tackling. Currently, there are 20 people involved with testing the Aerosoft A330, and between them, they have identified 285 different bugs. This is broken down into different categories, including 30 which are low priority, 29 of which have been resolved, and a further 90 currently identified and in the process of being fixed. The remaining amount requires a bit more investigation before it can be assigned to the relevant team member. An additional graphic was also shared highlighting how these bugs are broken down. The vast majority of them are down to system visualizations, whilst the second biggest category is system logic. Animation and 3D work make up 18% of the bugs in the system, with the remaining 12% assigned to 'other'. "The issue categories in the graph can give you a good idea of the current status of the aircraft. Of course, it must be taken into account that none of the figures reflect the complexity of the individual tasks," the development post said. It continued, "it is quite conceivable that 9 out of 10 bugs can be solved within a week, but the 10th takes a whole week. Our current focus is to sort out the bugs first before continuing to add more features." Of course, there is no indication at this time of a release date. It's clear that Aerosoft is working to ensure that the plane is ready as soon as possible, as it is one of the most highly anticipated aircraft in development for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Aerosoft said that the A330 is more of a platform than a singular product, which is likely why the A330NEO will be the next major aircraft after it has been released. If you want to learn more about the Aerosoft A330, check out our first impressions article from when we went hands-on with it back at FlightSimExpo 2023. Feel free to also watch the recent trailer for the plane.
Developer Skyline Simulations has released Cincinnati Landmarks for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Cincinnati is a major city located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Ohio. It is situated along the Ohio River and is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and various attractions. According to the team, the product comes with the latest OSM data, meaning all the buildings and their locations are up-to-date and accurate. Each of the models included makes full use of modern tools and techniques, including PBR texturing, decals and various animations. There are also animated cars, boats and fountains throughout the city. It is available through their website for €10.00. Features Designed with the latest OSM data UHD Realistic Custom Textures Detailed PBR and decals HD 3D modeling Ultra Resolution of John A. Bridge Animated Fountain Mirror Lake Animated Boat Animated Cars Amazing custom night textures FSEco-subsystem Scripps Tower Interior Compatible with our KCVG Airport
A new update for Parallel 42's Flow Essential and Flow Pro has been released. The news was confirmed by the team over on their blog and gave details on what users can expect from the latest release of the utility tool. A bit of backstory was provided by the latest release from the team, who indicated that a new feature was actually developed initially by the community using the tools of Flow Pro. Flow Pro allows anyone to create their own scripts within the tool. Parallel 42 noticed a community creator called eGGi, who created a landing rate monitor. They worked together to then bring this functionality to the masses for Flow Essentials. This means everyone who has Flow Essentials (PC and Xbox) can now access this new tool. It wouldn't surprise us if more community members created snippets like this and it be included in future releases. Another notable improvement with this release is the fact that Parallel 42 has completely rebuilt the Position and Portal widgets, which now feature full-colour satellite imagery. Not only that, but it also includes a "significant" performance increase, particularly for users on Xbox consoles. The update is now available through the Parallel 42 store if you purchased it directly. It's pending for the Orbx store, and also for the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace (PC and Xbox). You can learn more about Flow in our past articles, including the differences between the free version, the essential version and the pro version. This isn't the first update, either, as Flow has been updated a few times improving since its original release. Flow Changelog New Landing Rate Widget (Essentials & Pro) Quickly see your landing rate after touchdown with the new Landing Rate Widget. QR Code (All versions) Added QR code for support in settings Improvements Optimizations to Position / Portal Widgets (Essentials & Pro) Faster maps, better look! The position map has been improved with colored map, better markers, display options and better performance. Position Widget / Multiplayer (Essentials & Pro) Added on/off button to show/hide multiplayer, this may help with performance in saturated areas. Portal Widget / Multiplayer (Essentials & Pro) Added friend usernames to map. Twitch Chat Overlay (Pro) Added a setting to change the duration of on-screen messages.
Impulse Simulations has updated Canberra Airport (YSCB) to v1.0.2 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Canberra Airport is an international airport situated in the district of Majura, Australian Capital Territory. It serves Australia's capital city, Canberra and is the ninth-busiest airport in Australia. Update v1.0.2 features updates and fixes including custom runway approach lighting for better visibility, adjusting LODs to remove some building popping, adding additional user parking spots, airline parking spot fixes and wingspan fixes, AI pathway fixes, photogrammetry fixes and more. Update v1.0.2 is available to download right now through Orbx Central. If you do not yet own Impulse Simulations' Canberra Airport, you can purchase it from Orbx Direct for $34.50 AUD (approximately US$22.63 | €20,53 | £17.73). Changelog Fixed Approach Lighting on Runway 35 and 17 Added Custom Approach Lighting on Runway 35 for Better Visibility Removed Tall Runway/Taxi Lights as a recent update broke them in some spots Adjusted LODs on some buildings to remove some popping Separated VDGS so users on PC can disable them should they wish to use alternatives Added Additional Parking spots for users Corrected all Airline Parking Spots, to work with AI Traffic Programs and place the correct Airlines at their respective gates Added Missing AI Pathway causing AI to behave erratically Removed water over photogrammetry that had been sunken just outside our airport focus area Fixed Emissive Texture Popping Corrected Wingspan on Parking spots to allow aircraft to show correctly
Sim Update 13 is now available to download for those wishing to try it out ahead of its official release. Sim Update 13 was always poised to be a fairly significant update for the simulator, in particular for the avionics and aircraft. But it goes beyond just that with additional changes to the UI, fixes to various SDK and API elements, and much more. Some of the standout features of this new update include new EFB functionality. Those new functionalities are part of the Boeing 787 and also the Boeing 747-8i, whereby the EFB can now integrate with SimBrief to request payload, wind data, routes and much more. The 787-10 now allows you to calculate takeoff performance and send it to the FMC. Furthermore, the first iteration of a computer and programmed step climb has been implemented. It's not just the heavies that saw some significant changes in this update. Glass cockpits with the Garmin G3000 / G5000 and the G1000 Nxi also got some love. The new displays can now show the wind vector on the Navigation Map, Nearest Map, and Weather Map panes. You will also be able to adjust the weather radar gain via the GTC Weather Radar Settings page. There is also a number of fixes and changes as documented down below. Sadly, there's no mention of World Hub being part of this beta, but please tell us if you see any sign of it. If you want to learn more about World Hub (aka Scenery Gateway), then you can read more about it here. The usual caveat applies; this is a beta release. Therefore, you should only involve yourself if you're super sure you want to use it with your simulator. It's worth noting that some add-ons may not be compatible with the latest release or you may find yourself dealing with bugs. However, if you wish to give it a go, you can opt in by following the instructions on the MSFS forums. General Bug Fixes Fixed Active Pause: now aircraft velocity and angular velocity are also frozen. Added Logbook compression to fix an issue where the logbook stopped recording flights after reaching 16MB limit size. Fixed scenarios where a white dot and white outline could appear when using a yoke (see Known Issues below) Menu Airports can be searched if they have special characters Fixed Main Menu tile image for Top Gun Maverick DLC that was extending beyond the tile boundaries Accessibility Screen Reader will now correctly narrate the highlighted option within pop-up dialog prompts (e.g. "OK", "Cancel", "Save", etc.) D-Pad and keyboard navigation within UI menus will no longer jump unexpectedly to the Social Panel or tooltips when reaching the final item in a horizontal grid or list. Logbook can now be navigated line-by-line using either gamepad D-Pad or keyboard. Updated tooltip to better explain how to adjust slider or cyclic options using gamepad or keyboard. Install Fixed an issue where deleting content on Xbox would delete it on PC too, and vice versa Online Fixed a bug where the user would not join a group after accepting an invitation through the platform Fixed a bug where light simvar were not properly replicated Navigation/Traffic Fixed a bug where airplanes didn't slow down enough to turn while taxiing. Fixed a bug where airplanes performing a go around would go in circles forever. Update AIRAC cycle to 2308 Glass Cockpits Garmin G3000 / G5000 Added support for displaying the wind vector on the Navigation Map, Nearest Map, and Weather Map panes. Enabled user control of weather radar gain via the GTC Weather Radar Settings page. Adjusted map and SVT absolute terrain colors to more closely match the real unit. Fixed a bug where the Nav Data Bar ISA field was displaying ISA temperature instead of delta ISA. FMS-managed Mach speed selections are now rounded to the nearest 0.001 instead of 0.01. Attempting to activate the weather radar while on the ground will now show a confirmation dialog. Tuned autopilot VOR/LOC intercept behavior to reduce overshoot in most scenarios. Fixed an issue where the autopilot would be inaccurate when ...
Scenery developer MM Simulations has released Horta Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This is the second airport in the Azores to be released today. Horta Airport (LPHR) is located on Faial Island in the Azores archipelago, which is part of Portugal. It serves as a vital hub for local and regional travel, connecting all of the islands and mainland Portugal. Airlines that frequent the airport include Azores Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Ryanair and other charter airlines. The team has modelled the airport to a high standard, including the use of PBR materials, accurate landscape and elevation profiling. There are also custom animated objects, night lighting and various airport clutter included. MM Simulations has also said they have accurately modelled both the terminal's exterior and interior. You can pick up your copy from OrbxDirect for $29.99 AUD. If flying in the Azores is for you, then you may also want to check out iniBuilds' Ponta Delgada that was released today. Key Features Accurately modeled terminal and interior Custom night lighting Custom parking positions matching with real life Custom surroundings Custom people and animated objects PBR Materials Real World based terraforming profile Updated CGL Data Ambient animated objects
It's been a long time coming, but FSLabs' Concorde is nearing release for Prepar3D. Over on the forums, Andrew Wilson (a developer at FSLabs) confirmed that a release candidate build of the aircraft has been given to the testing team. "We've just released our first release candidate build to our Concorde team," confirmed Wilson over on the forums. Since then, a second build was made available as the team continued to test the aircraft to make sure it was all functioning as intended. Further to testing out the plane's functionality, there has also been work going on behind the scenes to prepare the website and infrastructure for the release. This is also in addition to previews for the aircraft and the rest of the marketing material. It's likely you will see plenty of testers on services like IVAO, VATSIM, and Volanta in their own copies of Concorde. Keep your eyes peeled on the network and you may see one or two overhead. We last heard about Concorde's development back in May, where we learned about some of the included features like the updated virtual cockpit, ambient lighting, and flight systems.
Following the announcement just a few days ago, iniBuilds has released Ponta Delgada Airport (LPPD) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The airport, named João Paulo II Airport after Pope John Paul II, serves the city of Ponta Delgada in the Azores. Airlines that regularly visit the airport include Azores Airlines, Ryanair, BA and even seasonal routes from United Airlines to Newark (USA). iniBuilds rendition of the Portuguese airport has been made according to an up-to-date airport layout that reflects the current real-world airport. All the buildings and objects have been recreated in high quality, with custom models and detailed textures. The scenery also includes hand modelled points of interest that can be found around the airport, and "true-to-life airport landslide recreation". Furthermore, the airport terminal will come with a detailed terminal interior for those that just spend their time at the gate but still want something to look at, and a detailed recreation of the island's coastline cliffs as you come in or fly out. You can grab your copy via the iniBuilds store for £12.99 (excluding tax). Features Up to date airport layout, reflecting current real-world locations, including high quality models of all airport buildings & objects. Hand-made textures with crisp, bespoke texture sets, including modelled cliffs. Accurate, high quality modelled surrounding POIs including ambient lighting. True-to-life airport landside recreation with custom ground decals, street signs, vegetation, parking barriers and more. Highly detailed Port of Ponta Delgada. Accurately modelled and positioned dynamic airport lighting. Detailed modelled terminal interior. Official GSX Profile included in the scenery folder.
It's been just over a week since MK-Studios released their Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (CYUL) scenery. The team has not been sitting still since the release however, as users started reporting feedback of issues they faced or findings they had from their experience with the airport. The MK-Studios team has acted on these findings quickly, with the first patch now available for customers. Update 1.0.2 focusses on a few fixes for issues that were found, as well as some improvements of some details around the airport. There are improvements to the lighting at several places of the airport, including the terminal, the Air Canada hangar sports a new logo and some old and outdated HSBC logos were removed. The team has also made a few improvements to the performance of the Canadian airport, with a better LOD setup and reduced RAM usage. Update 1.0.2 is available for download right now through your partner shop. If you do not yet own MK-Studios' Montréal-Trudeau Intl. Airport, you can purchase it for around €17 from partner shops such as Contrail, SimMarket and Orbx Direct. Changelog Few wrong-placed objects were removed Added red light to the lamps Increased lights brightness inside the terminal at night Few missing apron lines added Spotting area fixed 3D snow model fixed Jetway animation improved Removed HSBC logos Added new logo on Air Canada hangar Terminal glass brightness and opacity fix Added Montreal sign lights at night Better LOD setup to improve performance RAM usage reduction Static vehicles placement fixes to allow more space for GSX to operate General improvements around the airport
Mathijs Kok has made a surprise comeback on the Aerosoft Forums where it was revealed he has now started working in a new position at PMDG Simulations. Commenting using a new account with no other posts to it's name, Kok replied to a comment from a user criticising Aerosoft's lack of transparency around the upcoming Airbus A330 (a project which Kok had previously been spearheading before he left Aerosoft), writing: Flattering, but I have to defend my friends at Aerosoft here. The forums were very much shaped in the way I thought was best, or in other words, how a forum I would enjoy as a customer/interested person should be. With my departure, it is logical that Aerosoft might want to change that. And believe me, those are not things you do without serious thinking and discussion. It simply takes a while. Just give them that. Godspeed, Mathijs KokPMDG Simulations Although initially we thought that this might just be somebody trolling by impersonation, FSElite has since been able to verify that the comment did indeed come from Mr Kok. It seems that upon departing Aerosoft, Mathijs' old profile was surrendered to his former employer, and he is now posting under a new profile. Kok's old profile has now been renamed to "Aerosoft Team" and it's post history is still visible in the forum. Furthermore, FSElite have also found a new account created on the PMDG forums - currently with no post history - named "Mathijs [PMDG]". At the time of writing it was last online yesterday afternoon. Speaking to cruiselevel.de, a German flight simulation news website, Kok said of his latest career venture: "I have decided to leave Aerosoft because the path taken by the directors does not seem to me to be the right one. These things happen and they are the CEOs and I am not. I was incredibly happy when I was invited by Robert Randazzo to join his team at PMDG and didn't hesitate to accept the invitation. I will do many things there, mainly leading smaller and larger projects." It is not immediately clear what Kok's new title at PMDG will be, although given his previous experience with community relations and project management, we could perhaps see him updating us on the progress of the PMDG 777 for Microsoft Flight Simulator soon, as well as leading the projects he mentions in his quote.
Sim Skunk Works has added another aircraft to their growing line-up. The MSFS line-up, which so far contains the Fiat G.91, the TF-104-G Starfighter and the FR-104-G Starfighter, now includes the SIAI-Marchetti SF.260 (now Leonardo SF-260). The Italian designed aircraft flew first in July 1964, and was produced all the way until 2017. The aircraft was originally produced by Aviamilano, but shortly moved to SIAI-Marchetti after the aircraft's maiden flight. SIAI-Marchetti was purchased by Aermacchi in 1997 who continued to produce the plane until finally phasing it out. Sim Skunk Works rendition of the Leonardo SF-260 comes with a detailed exterior and interior model. The initial release features the SF version of the aircraft, with an upgrade for the SF.260EA (Enhanced Aircraft) being planned for the future. The aircraft is fully animated according to the developer, while making sure it's performance friendly. The textures are highly detailed and feature PBR, and a few different liveries have been included in the package. System wise, Sim Skunk Works states that almost all systems have been modelled to work and behave like their real-world counterpart, and the aircraft performance has been modelled close to the real aircraft performance tables. Sim Skunk Works' SIAI-Marchetti Leonardo SF 260 is available for roughly €21,70 from SimMarket.
Scenery developer Boundless have taken to social media to announce their next product to be released will be that of Paris Vatry (ICAO: LFOK). The ambiguously named Paris Châlons Vatry Airport is located 90miles east of Paris, and is served internationally by European low-cost airline Ryanair. In a Facebook post, the team told simmers 'we're still here', and added that lots are happening behind the scenes. Rather cryptically, the post reads 'we continue to progress on a load of projects (some we've announced - others we haven't)', so watch this space! The team announced that Paris Vatry will be their next product to be released, yet despite a solitary screenshot, little further information has been released. It can be assumed the scenery will release for X-Plane 11 and/or X-Plane 12. Boundless is known for their impressive catalogue of airports in X-Plane, including Faro, Stansted and smaller airports like Shebdon. Boundless say more information on the project will be released 'shortly', so be sure to watch this space.
AlphaIndiaGroup, or AIG, have announced a major new update for their AI Manager for MSFS. It has been quite a while since the initial release of AIG's AI Manager (AIM). The update promises to deliver on some of the feedback that users have been given since the release. AIM will now feature a new and modern user interface, although the team did not share any previews of it in their announcement. The new interface will sport handy new features, such as "quick-buttons", a status page and a new configuration page. The Preset page and the Model Updates have also been improved. A full changelog can be found at the end of this article. Model Updates AIG also announced that they've been working on new model updates. Over the last few months a lot of work has gone into bringing all the models up to standard with the latest SDK version which should improve the overall performance. The AIG team also finally got approval from the FAIB team (FSX AI Bureau) to convert their models to use in MSFS. The first model update will include the A32X aircraft family, as well as the B737 aircraft family and the B767 aircraft family. Current repaints for these aircraft will not work with the newly converted models as the models feature slight modifications. AIM will take care of this process and remove conflicting repaints and offer to fix these. The model updates have not yet been released, but the team did share that these changes will be coming soon. Changelog Added new modern User Interface Added new "Quick-Buttons" for OCI Added new Status-Page for OCI Added new Configuration-Page for OCI Added new Bulk-Installation Window for OCI (incl. Options to pause/stop the process) Added new AIG Model Behavior Library support Improved Preset-Page for OCI Improved Model-Updates for OCI Changed "only load OCI" as new default option Several Bug-fixes
Got Friends has re-announced their F4F Wildcat for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The development group was previously already working on this aircraft, all the way back in 2021. There was even a trailer for the airplane at the time. Unfortunately the team ran into development issues and the plane took a place on the back burner. The re-announcement of the aircraft was made by developer 'DigitalJonx' over on the MSFS forums, stating that "it's time". Alongside the announcement came a few small previews and a little bit of info sprinkled throughout the forum thread. Got Friends plans on making the aircraft available for both PC and Xbox users. The team also wants to try to make the plane behave and feel authentic, such as simulating the cranking mechanism required to operate the landing gear. Luckily, for those that don't feel like performing half a workout during their flight sim experience, the team is also looking into more 'simplified' control options to make it suit your needs and hardware better. DigitalJonx also shared that more information on the project will be shared soon, at which point we'll keep you up to date here on FSElite. The Grumman F4F Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft (also known as Martlet in the British Royal Navy). It was an effective and powerful aircraft that saw a lot of service during the early years of World War II. However, the F4F Wildcat was not able to keep up with the performance of its Japanese counterpart, the A6M Zero. The shortcomings of the F4F Wildcat were fixed in the F6F Hellcat, which was the most dominant fighter aircraft for the second part of the war.
Northern Sky Studio has released its rendition of Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (PASI) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport is a small regional airport located west of Sitka, a city and borough in the U.S. state of Alaska, the airport is named after Sitka's former mayor Rocky Gutierrez. Sitka has one 7,200ft runway that juts out into the sea and a single terminal building with one jetway. Alaska Airlines provides an all-year-round service to and from Sitka to Juneau, Ketchikan and seasonally to Seattle. Delta Connection operates a seasonal service to Seattle and Alaska Seaplanes also operates scheduled and charter services to and from Sitka. Northern Sky Studio Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport features a highly detailed rendition of the airport, featuring a fully modelled terminal with an interior, surrounding buildings and hangars modelled, vehicles accurate to the airport, high-resolution PBR texturing throughout, texture baking effects on all buildings, custom orthophoto and more. You can purchase Northern Sky Studio Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport (PASI) from SimMarket for €16.44 here. Features The most detailed replica of airport buildings and vehicles Custom surroundings All materials created for full PBR Shading and occlusion (texture baking) effects on all airport buildings High-resolution building textures Use of native, highly efficient gITF models Custom orthophoto for the airport and surrounding areas
Earlier this week Fenix Simulations announced that the long awaited V2 update process was finally going to start, with the first of a two part update rolling out to customers as soon as next week. Additionally, the team also announced the development of an Airbus A321 and Airbus A319. As promised in that announcement the team has now shared some of the expected performance improvements that will be included in the first part of the V2 update, named V2 Block 1. The team has heard the feedback over the last few months about the performance, and it has been a large focus point in V2, with over a thousand hours dedicated to improving this. In order to do so, the team identified several things that had to be fixed, such as a rewrite of the display render technology, as well as model and systems code changes. The results of the tests, which can be found in the graphs below, have been made at various third party payware airports while performing a take-off roll. The graphs show a clear improvement from the current version of Fenix's A320, bringing it up to par or making it even better than some other third-party aircraft, such as PMDG's 737, FlyByWire's A32N or iniBuilds' A310. EFB Update The V2 update will also see a new version of Fenix' EFB, EFBv2. Unfortunately this update is reserved for Block 2 of the update, which, according to this week's earlier announcement, should be out sometime next month. Despite this, the team has still included some improvements in their EFBv1. These updates include Navigraph's mapping tiles, allowing you to see a moving map with your position on it if you want this. Another change included in the EFBv1 is one to the aircraft cabin layout. It will now feature a more densely packed 180 seat layout. In the future the EFBv2 will allow you to switch between a 162 and 180 seat version.
Origami Studios have shared new previews of their updated Gatwick Airport Scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator. On the team's discord channel, user Delta_Who (one of the developers on the team) shared a handful of new images showing the north terminal pier and bridge, along with some modelled interiors and gates. Writing, Delta_Who wrote: "Hello everyone, sorry for being super quiet, but I am going to get a move on here. I'll detail and preview with some rough images what's going on here. So the obvious [update] being Gatwick MSFS. Admittingly slow but it's not just a simple performance update, we're looking at a large overhaul with the goodies that everyone wants. Bare in mind the picture(s) I'll show are a few months old." He added "We're going to be doing things that hopefully speed this along But you can see, we're targeting additional detail for interiors, as well as architectural accuracy". Prior to this update, the team had also shared several previews of some of the ground vehicles we can expect to see at EGKK. These were locomotives from Southern Railway, Thameslink and the Gatwick Express service, as well as one of Gatwick's people mover shuttle rails which takes passengers between the north and south terminals. No dates have been circulated in relation to the update for EGKK, so simmers will have to continue being patient before the work is complete and we near a release point. Origami's EGKK for MSFS was released back in 2021 to much fanfare, although it is rivalled by mkvy's freeware version which to date has accumulated over 300,000 downloads on flightsim.to and is by far and away the most popular freeware addon ever created for a flight simulator. As frequent fliers from Gatwick ourselves here at FSElite, we will be sure to keep you posted with any further previews shared surrounding this update.
It's been over 2 and a half years since MaccoSim, at the time a brand new developer new to the game of making sceneries for Microsoft Flight Simulator, released their rendition of Manchester Airport (EGCC). Since then they have released more airports including Birmingham and Cancun in Mexico. To this day their Manchester Airport scenery is still a hugely popular product, although we knew a big update has been coming for a while. The lid on that has now finally been lifted with the team's codenamed "Massive Update Plan". In a message sent via the developer's newsletter and Discord channel, Maxx (one of the team at MaccoSim) confirmed that the team has now finally been given permission from the MAG team at the real Manchester Airport to conduct an access-all-areas tour of the field, which will provide them with plenty of opportunities to gather reference imagery for the big update. Discussing why this update is necessary, Maxx writes: "From the very beginning, we wanted to make the airport feel as real as possible. Granted, EGCC was developed very soon after the launch of MSFS2020, it is now very much due for an update, but this time using actual reference imagery. This visit will allow us to fill in the gaps which were previously unknown or a mystery, see progress on any construction work, and accurately depict textures and models." The update is going to cover practically every detail of the airport from the tower, to the stands, to the textures and landside. Maxx even goes as far as to say that 90% of the current airport will be "thrown in the bin", adding "As sad as this is for us, we want to do it properly". The full changelog of things the team are aspiring to include in the update is as follows: Custom satellite imagery throughout the entire airport and surrounding areas Real airport textures, and increase in texture detail New ground textures, making use of PBR, adding more detail, edges, repairs, weathering, and more accuracy More custom Jetway variations Land-side ground textures (materials, painted lines, roads, car parks etc) Long stay car parks with custom vehicle models Full optimization of every 3D object and building 5 LODs (levels of detail) for a much better performance Addition of new multi-storey carparks Full re-modelling and re-texturing of all terminals Full re-modelling and re-texturing of ATC tower, STS (formerly Thomas Cook) hangar, fire station, hotels, Signature Addition of Train Station, train tracks, and animated trains Addition of other landside buildings (warehouses, offices, etc) Fully modelled interiors Animated passengers Fully modelled landside Fixing and adding new remote stands (north of airfield) New immersive lighting Major increase in ground-level details (signs, people, dirt, fences, bollards, posts, doors etc) New fire training area RVP (Runway Visitor Park) to be fully modelled Add-on to have optional 'less ground clutter' version Full AI traffic integration GSX profile to be maintained, and distributed in add-on download New, more immersive night lighting Smaller objects to be scanned from real world airport object Finally, the team confirms that due to the sheer scale of this update, there will be regular updates on progress rather than long periods of radio silence. Once a finalised plan has been put together (presumably following the team's visit to the real airport), more details on that will be shared. FSElite will continue to keep you updated on the progress of MaccoSim's EGCC update when we have more information.
V2 Rollout Fenix Simulations has announced they will soon start the V2 rollout process of their popular Airbus A320 for MSFS. The V2 update has been in the works for quite some time and the changes are quite significant. V2 will contain updates to the fly-by-wire, avionics, EFB and performance of the Fenix A320. More notably, V2 will finally bring the highly anticipated IAE engines to the aircraft, as well as a new visual model of the aircraft. However, those super eager to try out the new engines will need to wait for a little while longer. Fenix announced that the V2 update will take place in two stages, so called 'blocks'. V2 Block 1 contains fly-by-wire updates, a new VNAV system and other avionics updates, some new displays and performance optimisations. The rollout of V2 Block 1 will start over the coming days and once it does, the team will share a full changelog of Block 1. V2 Block 2 will contain the coveted IAE engines as well as the visual model update. It will also contain more avionics changes, version 2 of the Fenix EFB and possible fixes that need to be made to Block 1. Block 2 does not have a set rollout date yet, but the team expects the rollout to be concluded by the end of September. The reason for rolling out V2 in these two separate stages was also explained by the team. While some work is ready and the team does not want to hold it back any longer, some work on particularly Block 2 is still ongoing and needs a little bit more time. Meanwhile the time in between the two updates will also allow the team to gather feedback that can then be iterated upon after V2 is fully delivered. Fenix A321 and A319 Parallel to creating the V2 update, the team has been working on a secret project. Although many people had guessed that the team might work on additional aircraft in the A320 family, the team had thus far never shared anything to confirm this. That changes now, with the official announcement of the Airbus A321 and A319. The aircraft variants will be made available in a single expansion package, priced at £39.99. Fenix aims for a release of this expansion package by the end of this year. Thinking even beyond this, the team also shared that next year they will be bringing sharklets to all these aircraft variants for free. Customers have long been wondering when these would be available and by sharing this timeline, the team can share a little more about what's in store for their Airbus(es). The full announcement can be found on Fenix Simulations' website. We'll keep you up to date on FSElite regarding the V2 rollout process, as well as more news and information regarding the newly announced Airbuses.
Burning Blue Design has released their latest product for Microsoft Flight Simulator, United Kingdom VORs. This package includes all 50 VOR (Very high-frequency Omnidirectional Range) ground stations scattered across the United Kingdom. The VORs have been accurately recreated in this package, with attention to detail paid to the lattice towers, buildings, and surrounding terrain. The textures are all PBR (Physical Based Rendering), which means they look great in all lighting conditions. There is also a wide variety of vegetation, walls & fences, and ground clutter to add to the realism. In addition to the static objects, there are also animated people and static vehicles to be found at some of the VORs. The ground has been merged and terraformed to create a smooth and seamless transition between the VORs and the surrounding terrain. The VORs have also been merged with existing airports and airfields to ensure a consistent look and feel. Finally, each VOR station has its own Points of Interest (POI) that can be used to help pilots navigate. These POIs include the VOR tower, the antenna, the buildings, and any other significant features. United Kingdom VORs is a great addition to any Microsoft Flight Simulator pilot's library. It provides a realistic and immersive experience while flying around the British Isles. The package is available now from the Burning Blue Design website for £8.95. Features All 50 VORs across the British Isles 8 different VOR lattice types 5 different VOR building types Full PBR textures throughout A wide variety of vegetation, walls & fences, and ground clutter Animated people and static vehicles Ground merging and terraforming Merging with existing airports and airfields Points of Interest for each VOR station
NMG Simulations have released their rendition of King Shaka International Airport (FALE) in Durban, South Africa for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The airport is located 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the City of Durban, and was conceptualized in the 1960's when it was realized that the old Louis Botha/Durban International airport (FADN), to the south of Durban, would soon reach its capacity. Construction began in 1973 and by 1975 the earthworks and a storm drainage system to the value of R320 million (approx. $96,000,000USD inflation adjusted for 2023) were completed. By 1982, the project was halted due to economic slowdown. A local Micro light club made use of the grassed over runway. The new airport was named La Mercy Airport (FALE) after the town of La Mercy located five kilometers east of the airport. Construction recommenced on the 24 August 2007 and the new airport was opened on the 1st of May 2010. Looking at the images provided on the product page on SimMarket, it becomes quickly apparent that the majority of this scenery's buildings including the terminal and gates have been ported over from previous versions of this scenery build for P3Dv4. The MSFS version also comes with default jetways and limited signs of wear on the ground markings. NMG's King Shaka International Airport (FALE) for Microsoft Flight Simulator is available for €21.60 including taxes. Customers who bought the scenery for X-Plane, P3D or FSX are entitled to a €5.00 discount.
Whilst third-party developers have been very quick at creating quality scenery products for Microsoft Flight Simulator, there are literally thousands of airports that still need some additional work to make them more accurate to their real-world counterparts. This is where the MSFS World Hub comes in. Formally known as the Scenery Gateway system, the concept of the MSFS World Hub is to allow anyone in the community to easily edit and change default airports and then release that to the world via the platform. For example, if a runway number has changed or there's overlapping vegetation, a community member can easily change the details or edit the airport to be more accurate. Community members will be only able to use the default resources found in the sim, thus protecting the work third-party developers do, but also making sure that both PC and Xbox users can easily update and change their airports. The system will allow you to search from the database of airports and then 'check out' an airport for editing. Once edited, it will be submitted for approval and then once approved, released for the world to enjoy via an official update. Originally, the MSFS World Hub was due to release with World Update 14, but this was missed due to the team wanting currently working on "accessibility and privacy requirement reviews." That said, the team is hopeful that it will be out in September as part of Sim Update 13. You can watch the SDK Q&A from back in November to learn more about the MSFS World Hub. What airports would you work on to change for the community?
Following hot on the heels of MK-Studios, BMWorld & AmSim have also released their version of Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. As we wrote on the previous release, Montréal-Trudeau Intl. Airport (CYUL) serves the city of Montréal in Canada, and is visited by a wide variety of airlines with destinations all over the world. The airport is also a hub for Canadian flag carrier Air Canada, as well as Air Transat and OWG. The release of BMWorld & AmSim's scenery follows hot on the heals of MK-Studios' release of the same airport. FlyTampa, who was also working on a rendition of the same airport, has stated they will not continue the development of their Montréal scenery, stating that the scene for this airport "got a little too crowded". FSimStudios, another well known developer for Canadian sceneries, is also working on a rendition of Montréal Airport. BMWorld & AmSim's scenery features a detailed terminal area, with custom ground markings and ground clutter, aiming to enhance the immersion at the airport. In the previews we can see vehicles such as baggage tractors and carts, catering trucks, pushback vehicles and more. The terminal building itself features parallax windows and animated jetways. The team has used high-resolution ground textures that include wear and tear details. The scenery is also fully compatible with FSLTL, with the developers having gone out of their way to ensure all gates have accurate airline codes assigned. BMWorld & AmSim's Montréal-Trudeau International Airport is available for $28.50 AUD from Orbx Direct. Features Detailed Terminal area Animated Jetway Custom ground markings High-resolution custom ground textures, dirt, and other details Surrounding buildings fully modeled Custom runway guard lights Parallax windows Airlines codes assigned to each parking Fully compatible with FSLTL traffic
Scenery developer Photorico Scenery has released Ontario Intl' Airport for Prepar3D V4 and Prepar3D v5. Ontario International Airport (KONT) is a public airport located in the city of Ontario, in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The airport serves as a major aviation facility in Southern California and is one of the busiest airports in the region. The airport claims to come with a highly detailed terminal area with plenty of airport clutter to make it come alive. The cargo ramps are also detailed with areas dedicated to UPS, Prime and FedEx. There is also the use of custom animated jetways, hold-short flashers and also runway guards. The team also claims to use LOD modelling and HD ground textures. You can buy Photorico Scenery's Ontario Airport from SIMMARKET for €23.00. Features Highly Detailed terminal area with ground ops clutter Highly detailed cargo ramp areas for UPS, Prime and FDX Custom animated jetways (SODE not required), Inground hold short flashers, Runway Guards and Approach Lighting Use of LOD modelling for performance optimization HD Ground Texturing Tested for use with GSX
Pilot Experience Sim has taken to social media to announce a new aircraft in the works from them. The aircraft they are working on is the Beechcraft King C90 for both Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Beechcraft King Air C90 is a twin-turboprop aircraft produced by Beechcraft. The King Air C90 is known for its excellent performance capabilities, including its ability to take off and land on shorter runways compared to many other aircraft. It can cruise at speeds of around 260 knots. The team is looking for an experienced real-life King Air pilot to help Pilot Experience Sim test the aircraft and obtain real-life systems information. If you are, then reach out to the team and let them know if you're available to help. Pilot Experience Sim has previously worked on the Maule M7 for Microsoft Flight Simulator, meaning they are experienced with bringing not just airports to the simulator. There's very little information at the moment, but we'll be sure to keep you updated with it once we learn more. We are very excited to present our next aircraft for MSFS20 and MSFS24!
FeelThere is down in Texas with their latest release for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This time, the team are in Dallas with the release of Dallas Love Field (KDAL) for the simulator. The airport s famously known for being the birthplace of the largest Boeing 737 operator in the US, Southwest Airlines. Today, the airport sees around 15 million passengers taking 130,000 flights per year to destinations within the US such as Austin, Denver, Atlanta, Las Vegas, and New Orleans to name but a few. Southwest isn't the only airline that uses Dallas Love Field, it is also visited by Alaska, Delta, and SkyWest Airlines too. Features include detailed PBR texturing, custom animated jetways and various objects placed around the airport to bring it to live. The team has also included new ground poly that includes decals, lines, dirt and grime throughout the whole airport. The AFCAD has also been updated to make sure that all parking spots, taxiways and runways are accurate based on current charts. You can get your copy now from their website for $10.79 (the usual price is $11.99), which excludes any applicable taxes. FeelThere has been to Taxes recently with their Austin release. If you want to check out an alternative, you can see iBlueYonder's release of the same airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator (and at a similar price). Features Highly detailed models with PBR texturing. Complete ground polygon including all decals, lines, dirt and grime. Custom animated jetways. Improved night lighting and taxiway lighting. Updated AFCAD including parking spots, taxiway names and signs, runways, and ground vehicle routing. Multiple objects placed over the airport using the MSFS SDK.
FlyTampa has announced on Facebook that are cancelling their development of Montreal with immediate effect. The news follows the fact that MK-Studios just released their own rendition, and with FSimStudios also working on their version. It's clear to them that continuing with the project would be too much and they felt "it got a little too crowded." Onto some more positive news. Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is progressing nicely with FlyTampa expecting it to be coming soon. Whilst they haven't given anything specific in terms of a release, George from the team said that the product is in late testing is is "looking good." He also said that "it looked finished to [them] in last week's build." In other news, FlyTampa also said that a free update for Boston Logan International Airport is in progress. George said that he is moving onto the 'Lipstick' terminal at the airport and will be released in due course for free. We'll be sure to continue to update you with any further information from FlyTampa. Thanks to Niels for the tip.
If you've ever felt lonely on those long-range GA flights and looking for company, then why not have man's best friends accompany you? GotFriends has released a new freeware product that gives you just that with a dog companion joining you in a number of aircraft. The product adds a number of animals to join you in the cockpit, giving you some virtual company on your flights. A number of different breeds of dogs are available, along with a cat if you so wish. These animals are added to any aircraft by selecting it from the options menu. The product page says, "Companions can be selected in the GENERAL OPTIONS -> MISC settings under Pilot / Copilot Options. With this approach, companions are compatible with any aircraft utilizing the MSFS Character system." This is dependent on the aircraft developer if they honour the system correctly, so it may not work with all aircraft correctly. However, there should be a good number that allows you to add a virtual companion with you on your flights. You can get Man's Best Friend by GotFriends now from their site completely free of charge.
Orbx has taken to social media platform X (formally Twitter) to announce that they will be bringing London City Airport (EGLC) to X-Plane 12. The team said on X that they are "proud to present an unforgettable aviation adventure" with London City Airport. No specific date was announced as to when the airport would be made available. Coming soon! Orbx is proud to present an unforgettable aviation adventure to one of the most iconic airports in Great Britain - London City Airport for X-Plane 12. ✈️#Orbx #LondonCityAirport #EGLC #XPlane12 #AviationAdventure #FlightSimulator #LondonCity #VirtualFlying Orbx (@OrbxSystems) July 31, 2023 London City Airport is located right in the heart of the English capital. It's known for its iconic steep approach over the city, with sweeping views of the skyline. Orbx released London City Airport v2 for Microsoft Flight Simulator earlier this year. We'll keep you updated with any news on the airport for X-Plane 12.
TropicalSim has released two new airport products over on SIMMARKET today. Both Kansas City and St. Thomas International has received new releases as new versions, with them having all new modelling and texture work to justify their 'v2' releases. Kansas City The new version of Kansas City Airport comes with the new ground layout, dynamic lighting, and full use of the Microsoft Flight Simulator SDK. The team also say that the airport seamlessly integrates with the default scenery. Kansas City International Airport (KMCI) serves as the main airport for Kansas City, Missouri, and the surrounding metropolitan area. It is a major transportation hub in the Midwestern United States, with airlines like American, Delta, United and Southwest all have a presence at Kansas City. You can buy Kansas City Airport v2 from SIMMARKET for €18.50 (excluding VAT). There are some upgrade options too, depending on whether you bought the previous version on Microsoft Flight Simulator or Prepar3D, info of which you can find on the site. Features Highly detailed Kansas City Intl' / KMCI Updated airport ground layout with fully funcioning new terminal Full night illumination Native MSFS Dynamic Lighting Seamless integration with default MSFS scenery Usage of MSFS PBR Materials Usage of MSFS SDK FlightSim Materials Usage of MSFS SDK native gITF models St. Thomas Intl As with Kansas City Airport v2, the new version of St. Thomas has a focus on a newly made terminal with improved texturing. There is now fully detailed interior modelling and changes to the apron to match the real-world changes. Cyril E. King Airport (TIST) is the primary airport serving St. Thomas and is located approximately 2 miles west of the capital city, Charlotte Amalie. It is named after Cyril Emmanuel King, the second elected Governor of the United States Virgin Islands. The airport handles both domestic and international flights and is a hub for travel to the Virgin Islands. You can buy St. Thomas International v2 from SIMMARKET €16.00 (excluding VAT). for There are some upgrade options too, depending on whether you bought the previous version on Microsoft Flight Simulator or Prepar3D, info of which you can find on the site. Features Highly detailed Cyril E King Airport / TIST Full night illumination Native MSFS Dynamic Lighting Seamless integration with default MSFS scenery Usage of MSFS SDK FlightSim Materials + PBR Usage of MSFS SDK native gITF models
After a small teaser announcement last month, MK-Studios has now released Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (CYUL). The airport serves the city of Montréal in Canada. It's visited by a large variety of carriers, both domestic and international, with destinations all over the world. The airport is also a hub for Canadian flag carrier Air Canada, as well as Air Transit and OWG. MK-Studios' scenery features a highly detailed and accurate rendition of the airport. It comes complete with custom modelling for the airport and other buildings, jetways and other airport facilities and vehicles. The terminal buildings feature a detailed interior with signage, benches, desks and passengers. A high resolution satellite image provides coverage of the airport as well as its nearby surroundings at a 20cm/pixel resolution. Furthermore, the ground features custom polygons with lines, markings and wear and tear effects. Also included is elevation data based on a high quality LiDAR scan. Though MK-Studios' release does not come as a total surprise, it will be surprising to see what this means for FlyTampa, who have previously indicated to be working on Montréal-Trudeau Intl. Airport as well. MK-Studios' version of the airport can be picked up for $27.95 AUD via Orbx Direct. Features Highly detailed and realistic rendition of Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (CYUL) Airport elevation data based on high-quality LiDAR scan Custom, 20cm/pixel satellite image covering the airport and the closest surroundings Custom ground polygons with thousands of lines, markings, and dirt Handcrafted 3D models of buildings, jetways, and airport facilities Realistic lighting for immersive day and night operations AI compatible
An all new software package claiming boldly to be "the most advanced passenger application" for flight simulation should be coming soon to the flight simulation space. Passenger² is claiming to boast a lot of interesting features, and although at this early stage it's not entirely clear what the product is, it appears to be a kind of career mode where users can found their own airline and have virtual passengers rate their experience onboard. In a press release sent to FSElite, Lead Developer Scott Thompson says "Having entered advanced development stages, we are ready to excite the Flight Simulator community with advanced passenger realism". Passenger² is expected to launch in Q4 2023, and will be "competitively priced". The single screenshot we do have of the product at this stage appears to show a top-down view of an aircraft's fuselage, full of seated passengers. We can also see live flight parameters (which are all synced up via FSUIPC) as well as a "passenger satisfaction" score and buttons for announcement, flight service, automation, and window size. The program will apparently feature crew announcements and safety videos, generate random events such as drunk passengers and medical emergencies, a handful of achievements and a cabin monitor. A handful of addons have ventured into similar "career mode" territory before, namely The Skypark, NeoFly, FSEconomy and OnAir Company. Each of them already have established followings, so Passenger² will need to pack some serious punches if it is to make way in such a saturated market. However, it is unclear at this stage whether Passenger² will add 3D passengers into the game world, which would be more along the lines of addons such as GSX Pro. FSElite will continue to cover development on Passenger² and bring more updates when they are made available.
A new product from the team at FS2Crew has been released that will give you a fully 3D and animated co-pilot in your FlyByWire A32NX for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The First Officer Pack from FS2Crew finally gives you a co-pilot that interacts with the aircraft as you fly. The new add-on from FS2Crew adds a fully animated co-pilot who will iteract with all the buttons in the cockpit in a realistic manner. The animations work alongside the checklist and flows you perform with the FS2Crew A32NX Project Edition. Furthermore, the co-pilot's mouth is also animated alongside what is being said. In the email sent to us, FS2Crew said that the product is "pretty ground breaking." They continued, "it was extremely complex and tough to develop." You can watch the video above, or below) to get a sense of what this product is all about. You can buy the First Officer Pack from FS2Crew's website for €14.99. You must own the FBW A32NX Project Edition in order to use the First Officer Pack.
SimWorks Studios (SWS), known for their Kodiak 100, is so confident in their PC-12, that they are going to soon send it to Pilatus itself in order to get it tested and greenlit prior to a release. A new post on Facebook by the team gave us a brief update on their projects. Before we get to the PC-12, SimWorks Studios wanted to address the problems they had with their website. They are fully aware of the issues and are working to resolve the problems. If customers has any issues, they should drop the team and email or open a ticket on Discord in order to speak to staff. It's good to note that the team intend on taking a short break from 14th - 25th August, so support will generally be unavailable. Moving back to the PC-12, SimWorks Studios says that they anticipate the work to be completed in the next 2 weeks. This time will be spent finalising and cleaning up the product in preparation for a release. Then, on August 11th, the team will send it to the aircraft manufacturers themselves to verify that they are happy with the plane. Pilatus will test it themselves, before then giving SimWorks Studios the go-ahead that the plane is up to snuff for simmers. In the Facebook post, SWS also showcased some videos of the interactive cabin and the engine covers. The target release for the Pilatus PC-12 by SimWorks Studios is mid-September, but of course, dates are subject to change. SimWorks Studios is confident that they will achieve this, but we'll of course continue to follow them to then let you know. SimWorks Studios is also working on the TBM and the Kodiak 900. Update: Removed reference about the Dash 7 with PILOT'S upon request from the developer as they informed us they are no longer working in conjunction with them.
Captain Sim is back with another product for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This time, they are leaving the heavy Boeing aircraft behind in favour of something very different; a hot air balloon. The feature list is full of hot air with just a handful of things in the list, including different colours, 8K texturing and a variety of pilots and passengers. There's also a custom flight model, meaning your hot air balloon will float. If you want to inflate Captain Sim's bank balance further, you can pick up a copy from the in-sim store for $14.99 USD for PC and Xbox. If you want an idea of what a Captain Sim product is like for Microsoft Flight Simulator, read our review on their 777 attempt. If you're looking for an alternative hot air balloon product, check out Hype Performance Group's very own. We thought it was good fun and uplifting. Features Six variants of colorful envelopes Six different pilots/passengers setups Highly detailed exterior and interior models High-resolution 8K textures Custom flight model
With immediate effect, Hype Performance Group is confirming the end of development and support for their 747 SuperTanker product. The news comes a few weeks after sales were originally suspended for the product for unknown reasons. However, that resaon seems clearer than ever now with the most recent statement from the development team. In the post, the team said that they will be proactively refunding all owners of the SuperTanker, with the aim of completing this by August 1st 2023. Hype Performance Group has also informed customers of the HPG 747 SuperTanker that continuing to use the software is "unauthorized and violates trademark laws." In the statement, Hype Performance Group said, "Global Supertanker Aviation is the owner of the SUPERTANKER and GLOBALSUPERTANKER trademarks. The HPG 747 SuperTanker was developed without the knowledge or permission of GSA and the HPG 747 SuperTanker product has no affiliation with GSA." They continued by saying that the issue has been resolved "amicably between HPG and GSA," with both teams open to potentially collaborating on a project in the future with the correct legal and authorized licensing. The 747 SuperTanker was a unique project from the team, that allowed customers to take control of a 747 Supertanker to help suppress and put out wildfires, as well as provide assistance with other ecological disasters. Sadly now, customers won't be able to do this any more. Update: The date has been changed to August 1st, 2023. The original date was a typo on HPG's part who then corrected their original post and emailed us to update the article.
After months of work to develop the platform from version 12.05, Ben Supnik summarised the latest changes and some future plans for the current release of 12.06 and beyond in a development blog post on the X-Plane website. The latest changes include performance enhancements, cloud and weather changes, lighting development, and changes to the ATC and AI Pilot systems. When it comes to performance, the team has moved away from using their hand-coded rendering pipeline and switched it over to a rendering node graph which is more commonly used with Vulkan generational APIs due to the ability to double book VRAM which allows X-Plane to render effects faster and utilise the VRAM on the graphics card more effectively meaning users should have a more streamlined experience. In terms of cloud and weather changes, the team has also spent a long time finessing performance accuracy and quality of the clouds overall making them appear less pixelated and ugly. Specifically, Cirrus clouds have received attention to ensure they are more realistic to the real-world cloud type rather than just much higher, thinner stratus clouds. Real-world weather has taken a back seat for this update as the team wanted to focus on improving visualisation results so the additional work on upgrading real-world weather is more beneficial when it is improved. Although the lighting system hasn't received an update specifically, improvements come in the form of some fixes for sky colours. Ben detailed that instead of pushing little and often updates to the lighting system, the team wants to release lighting improvements in a 'measure twice, cut once' approach to also assist third-party developers when it comes to something like improving dark cockpits as the developers will only have to release one small update to their product rather than many smaller updates which we would all benefit from. Finally, Ben detailed some top-line changes to the AI and ATC systems within the update but promised a more in-depth blog explaining the ATC changes with an update from Jim Keir. Ben did however speak about how Austin has 'trained' the AI pilot system to improve the way they fly ensuring they don't crash on approach bringing airport operations to a halt or into the side of a mountain bringing the whole sim to a halt and crashing to desktop. The changes made to the AI Pilot should also enable the ATC system to run more smoothly too. There is still much to look forward to with the development of X-Plane 12 including version 12.07 which should include some flight model changes from Austin, graphics enhancements and more. Changes to clouds and weather should reduce the 'Minecraft' cloud visualisation, upgrades to real-world weather implementation, CPU utilisation improvements for those limited by CPU usage, and some ATC fixes and SID/STAR support, all in the immediate pipeline to come. Simply run the X-Plane installer to update and ensure the 'check for Beta updates' box is ticked to install X-Plane 12.06b2. We will keep you up to date with all things X-Plane, but in the meantime, why not take a look at our interview with Thomson Meeks at last month's FSExpo in Houston.
Since the recent release of the Accu-Sim Comanche 250, the team at A2A Simulations has been hard at work on an update to address bug fixes and general improvements. Now, version 1.1 of the aircraft is available for download. This first update for the Accu-Sim Comanche 250 includes an extensive list of fixes and improvements that aims to make this already solid add-on even better. In all, the version 1.1 update includes over 50 changes to the aircraft. Most notably, the Comanche 250 has improved compatibility with popular utilities, like FSEconomy and OnAir, improved hardware compatibility for key switches, like the autopilot and battery switches, the tablet is now clickable if the Boeing 787-10 add-on is installed, the engine cooldown sounds have been restored, and much more. Downloading this new update is straightforward as users simply need to redownload the installer from the A2A Simulations website, with no need to uninstall the product first. A2A Simulations has also confirmed that the update will not erase airframe or engine hours that flight simulator pilots may have already accumulated. Changelog Added fix for torque spike that was causing very occasional aircraft 'flips' Improved compatibility with third-party utilities including FSEconomy and OnAir Added message on installation to warn user if their EXE.xml file is corrupted Improved handling of unwanted trim inputs sent by default MSFS autopilot Improved telemetry support for force-feedback devices Added barometric pressure to altimeter tooltip in legacy mode Improved hardware switch compatibility for autopilot Improved hardware switch compatibility for battery switch and starter button Improved animation smoothness of controls surfaces and yoke Added animation lag to main door Added functional external handles to the cabin door from nearby walkaround positions Added persistent altimeter pressure adjustment Fixed reversed propeller pitch LO and HI shortcuts Revised tablet controls to indicate if at least one chock or tie down is placed Fixed XML conflict with aircraft registration fonts Fixed tablet not being clickable if B78XH (B787-10 Heavy) add-on is installed Fixed reversed yoke animation when moving ailerons during walkaround Disabled walkaround once aircraft is in motion Added "PilotVR" entry to cameras.cfg Improved support for MSFS ATC calls And much more! To check out the full version 1.1 announcement and changelog, visit A2A Simulations' website.
Pilot Experience Sim is back with all-new previews for their Brest Airport (LFRB) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The new previews are all for the terminal building, showcasing both the interior and exterior modelling. We're delighted to finally present you with a few previews of the terminal. As you can see here, we've paid attention to every detail for total immersion. The night-time ambience is incredible and will give you unforgettable flights at this superb airport. Pilot Experience Sim Facebook Page The team has paid particular attention to the night time lighting in and around the terminal, utilising dynamic lights to give a sense of depth and detail. Pilot Experience Sim says that there is only a "month's work left" to design the main car park, along with the ground service vehicles that will be scattered across the French airport. With the team beginning to wrap up the project, Pilot Experience Sim says that they expect to release Brest Airport in October 2023. We'll be sure to keep our eyes peeled and let you know. You can also check out the previous previews for the project.
Alongside World Update 14 which was released earlier this week, Microsoft also released Local Legend 11: Aero Vodochody Ae-45 and Ae-145 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Aero Vodochody Ae-45 is a Czechoslovakian twin-engine utility aircraft that was produced in the 1940s. It was designed and built by Aero Vodochody, which is a renowned aerospace company in the Czech Republic. "The Ae-45 is a no-nonsense, utilitarian airplane that has been charming aviators for decades with its reliability, power, and overall performance. Pilots can take flight in the craft for a wide variety of purposes, from practicing basic maneuvers to embarking on trans-oceanic or multi-continental journeys." The Ae-145 is a twin-engine, low-wing utility aircraft developed and manufactured by Aero Vodochody of Czechoslovakia. A total of 162 Ae-145s were built between 1959 and 1963. The aircraft was developed by Aeroplane Heaven and is designed to the highest standards. The team at Aeroplane Heaven has included detailed texturing, modelling and an impressive sound set that replicates the real thing. Furthermore, the team spent time learning the original aircraft manufacture's local langauge in order to create the aircraft to a high standard. You can get your copy via the in-sim Marketplace for $14.99 USD for both PC and Xbox. You can watch the trailer above.
Orbx is seemingly going back to their roots with their upcoming release for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The team is hard at work on brining both S43 Harvey & W16 Monroe to the simulator in a single product pack. Developed by Andrea Hegi, this back brings back two Prepar3D/FSX classics to Microsoft Flight Simulator. The updated version of these airports include full PBR ultra HD texturing, along with detailed modelling and finer details that bring the GA airport to life. Andreas Hegi's artistic talent that brings both of these bestsellers to Microsoft Flight Simulator. Orbx Forum Both of the airfields are located in Snohomish, Washington, with each of them just 5 miles away from one another. It's a great way to hop into your favourite GA plane and zip between the two airports, whilst discovering the wonderful town down below. Orbx has not comitted to a release date, but we will keep you posted. This release follows on from the likes of their Sacramento and Melbourne airports released for Microsoft Flight Simulator earlier this year. Also, why not check out our interview with Anna from Orbx who tells us a little more about what to expect in the future from the company. Features Two Prepar3D/FSX classics reborn for MSFS Located on the west coast of the USA Complete dynamic & emissive night lighting Full PBR UHD texturing Incredibly detailed, high-definition rendition Photo-realistic HD textures created from on-site photography to provide the most immersive experience possible Perfect landing challenges for the VFR fliers By Andreas Hegi
Following the announcement during the Microsoft Flight Simulator recorded Q&A session, World Update 14: Central Eastern Europe has been released. World Update 14 focuses on Central Eastern Europe. This pack will include 6 countries: Czechia (Czech Republic), Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia. As with other World Updates before it, this one includes new DEM data, new aerial imagery, updated landmarks (103 made by Gaya Simulations) and cities, and of course, new six hand-crafted airports. Microsoft Maps & Local, in collaboration with Vexcel, created 10 cities throughout the region: Prague, Brno, and Plzeň in Czechia; Budapest in Hungary; Ljubljana and Maribor in Slovenia; Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia; and Sarajevo and Banja Luka in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The region bristles with history, architectural wonders, and stunning scenery. The Central Eastern Europe countries beckon exploration from above with never-before-seen fidelity. Microsoft Flight Simulator Page A total of 6 airports hand-crafted were released as part of the update. These are as follows: Karlovy Vary Airport (LKKV) in Czechia Poprad-Tatry Airport (LZTT) in Slovakia Pécs-Pogány Airport (LHPP) in Hungary Zagorje ob Savi Airport (LJZA) in Slovenia Rijeka International Airport (LDRI) in Croatia Prijedor Urije Airport (LQPD) in Bosnia-Herzegovina As with other updates, there are also a range of POIs included. A total of 103 are included and spread across the updated countries. Completing the update is a series of discovery flights, landing challenges and bush trips that will help you discover the region in rich detail. You can download World Update 14 now from the in-sim Marketplace for free for both PC and Xbox versions of the simulator.
Just days after Pyreegue Dev Co released their highly anticipated EGNX East Midlands Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator to resounding critical acclaim, the developer has taken to Twitter (or X, depending on whatever we're supposed to call it these days!) to post a statement announcing the end of their trading relationship with Orbx. The statement says: "Pyreegye Development Company has decided to part ways with Orbx Simulation Systems Pty Ltd due to a fundamental disagreement on terms and conditions. It has become apparent that our visions on certain matters have diverged significantly." "Starting August 24th 2023, addon content from Pyreegue Development Company will no longer be available for purchase through orbxdirect.com or any associated with Orbx Simulation Systems Pty Ltd websites. Existing licenses will remain on all accounts, sceneries will continue to receive updates and/or fixes." "EGNX East Midlands Airport will not be offered through orbxdirect.com or any associated with Orbx Simulation Systems Pty Ltd websites." "Existing sceneries can be found on Microsoft in-game Marketplace and will soon also be available for purchase on the Contrail Web-Shop." "The possibility of license transfer will be announced later." Although we do not know any details around what these terms and conditions are at this time, the use of quite direct and pointed language in the statement seem to indicate that the two parties have fallen out of favour with one another over these terms. Orbx create scenery products themselves, although they also act as a distributor for smaller developers in much the same way as other platforms including Contrail and the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace. Distributors will host a developer's product on their storefront, and in exchange they will (usually) take a cut of any sale made. FSElite approached Pyreegue Dev Co for comment and a representative at the company told us "I am unable to go into further detail at this time, however I can assure you that [Pyreegue] did everything possible make this work for us both and we have always respected our agreement with Orbx". A spokesperson at Orbx told FSElite: "The terms of our exclusive agreements are private and we will not disclose them. We wish Pyreegue all the best. I have no further comments."
Scenery developer MSK Productions has released Mumbai Airport (VABB) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra state, is the most populated city in India. The densely populated city means that there is plenty of traffic to and from the busy airport from airlines all across the world. The approach provides some scenic views over the nearby beaches and urban areas. Mumbai Airport is a hub for Air India and Vistara, Go First and IndiGo. The airport comes with a number of features including 3D terrain including local rivers and bridges, dynamic lighting, animated trains and also interior modelling for terminals 1 and 2. The team has also included accurate 3D buildings with PBR materials. You can buy MSK Production's Mumbai Airport now from SIMMARKET for €19.99. Features Airport buildings with PBR materials Detailed scenery with numerous custom buildings 3D Terrain including rivers and bridges Dynamic lighting, animated Jetways Terminal 1 and 2 interiors Detailed night textures Accurate representation of ground polygons throughout Animated trains around the airport Terraforming
Jorg opened up his section by speaking about how busy June was. Kicking off the busy period was the announcement of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with the teaser trailer highlighting missions, air racing and the all-new sim engine. The movie tie-in with Dune Part 2 was also given another shout-out. Jorg moved on to FlightSimExpo 2023, where he gave a brief recap of the presentation he and Seb gave during the show about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Before moving onto the near-term stuff we can expect in the current sim, Jorg said that Microsoft Flight Simulator "is the biggest undertaking ever in flight simulation, and it's super exciting." A brief recap of some of the June releases was then shown off, including the City Update for France, various local legend aircraft, and also the Ford 4-at Trimotor. Moving onto future releases, Jorg announced that World Update 14 will focus on Central Eastern Europe. This pack will include 6 countries: Czechia (Czech Republic), Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovenia, and Croatia. As with other World Updates before it, this one includes new DEM data, new aerial imagery, updated landmarks (103 made by Gaya Simulations) and cities, and of course, new six hand-crafted airports. A new Local Legend will also ship alongside the World Update. Local Legend 11 will be the Aero Vodochody AE-45 / AE-145. This aircraft has been developed by Aeroplane Heaven, who said that they had to learn a bit of Czechoslovakian in order to build the aircraft for the sim. They said they are super thankful for the support from pilots and engineers who helped the team build the plane, as there are not many out there in the world. Barry from Aeroplane Heaven gives a short presentation in the video at the 7:26 mark, and it's worth checking out for some more details on the plane. Both World Update 14: Central Eastern Europe and Local Legend 11: Aero Vodochody AE-45 / AE-145 will be released on July 25th 2023. Next in the video was a short community Q&A session. The first question posed to the team was about whether there will be a beta test for Sim Update 13. Jorg said yes, there will be a beta and will probably happen in mid-August. In terms of what is coming with Sim Update 13, Jorg said that Working Title is working on enhancements for the piston engine, along with additional features and bug fixes for the 747-8i. Asobo has been working on improving accessibility and stability. In terms of content updates, Sim Update 13 will focus a lot on previous World Update content and some of the planes from the original and 40th Anniversary Edition releases. In summary, Jorg said this update is mostly clean up and enhancing the simulator. The final question from the Q&A session surrounding bug fixing the AAU2 beta which saw a handful of issues pop up for users. Jorg said that this is a top priority for the team and is being worked on to be fixed as soon as possible. In the final segment of the video, Mabel from the Marketplace team gave some insight into how the system works and the processes that are followed to release new products and updates. The segment highlights the entire process from submission to testing and release. In the presentation, we see how the developers who create content submit to Microsoft before it is then tested initially in a test environment before then pushed to a wider testing area. Microsoft makes sure that checks are completed to ensure that metadata and other content are compliant and in the right format. At this stage, the third-party developer will also be able to test their specific product in the sim to ensure compatibility and that it works as intended on the available platforms. Mabel then runs through specific tests for various types of products in a lot more detail. Finally, Jorg gives us a final rundown of the roadmap for the rest of 2023. There are still plenty of things to come from the teams, and Jorg says to expect something to come in August which is associated with...
After an extensive development period, Pyreegue Dev Co has released East Midlands Airport (EGNX) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. East Midlands Airport (EGNX) is a regional airport in the Midlands of England. While it does serve many routes for passengers, it has a huge cargo presence in the UK. This makes it attractive to simmers looking to take slightly larger aircraft to the regional airport, but still in a realistic manner. Pyreegue Dev Co has gone to great lengths to ensure that East Midlands is a realistic rendition of the airport. Using bespoke LiDAR scanned data, the developer has been able to capture an accurate elevation model that captures the local terrain of the airport. It also features the latest satellite imagery that covers the airport and surrounding area. Further to the airport being extensively designed, there is also plenty of surrounding area that has been modelled also. This includes Donington Park Racing Circuit (with animated GT vehicles), SEGRO Warehouse Park, Air Bp Fuel Depot and also the Superbike Factory. The airport product also includes animated skylink busses, ATC/OPS tower interiors, and also dynamic gate doors. You can buy it from Contrail right now for €19,99 (excluding taxes). An Xbox version will be released via the in-sim Marketplace in due course. Features Bespoke LiDAR Scanned Digital Terrain Elevation Model that captures all the unique features of local terrain, including the runway Latest Satellite Imagery covering the airport and surrounding areas, including Donington Park Custom Ground polygons with thousands of markings and accurate weathering 2023 layout Exquisite Night Lighting ATC/AI Traffic integration Airline Codes for 3rd Party AI Traffic Integration Surrounding areas included: Donington Park Racing Circuit with animated GT vehicles, Ratcliffe Power Station, SEGRO Warehouse Park, EMA Gateway Railway Terminal, Holiday Inn, Radisson Blue, Premier Inn, Leonardo Hotel, Mileway Cargo Centre, TUI Training Facilities, Texaco Fuel Depot, Air Bp Fuel Depot, Aircraft Maintenance Area, Superbike Factory, Donington Park Exhibition Centre and others. Animated Skylink Busses ATC/OPS Tower interiors Static Airliners on stands 8, 11, 16, 33, 43, 101 (Toggleable) Dynamic Gate Doors (Requires GSX to function) GSX Profile developed by Will Hinshaw Ultra performance version included (Without clutter)
After months of previews on their Facebook page, DC Designs has finally released their F-4 Phantom package for MSFS. The F-4 Phantom was produced by American manufacturer McDonnell Douglas from 1958-1981. Capable of flying at a speed over Mach 2.2, the F-4 Phantom proved itself as a dependable aircraft, evident by the fact that it became the most-produced American supersonic military aircraft. Even the Blue Angels and the United States Air Force Thunderbirds had flown the F-4. While the United States, the aircraft's primary user, no longer flies the type, the F-4 Phantom is still active in the air forces of Greece, Iran, South Korea, and Turkey. DC Designs' long-awaited F-4 Phantom package includes the F-4J, F-4E, and the British FGR2 variants. Each variant features unique animations and flight dynamics to reflect the real-life differences between the three types. The Phantoms also take full advantage of MSFS' features and effects, including G vapor, heat exhaust blur, and compatibility with the arrestor hook and launch system on aircraft carriers. Moving to the interior, DC Designs has put an enormous effort into the 3D cockpit with fully animated gauges, buttons, and switches. There is even an operational radar with air-to-air and air-to-ground modes. Overall, DC Designs' Phantom package should provide flight simulator pilots with a realistic and exciting flying experience. The package includes 27 liveries for various American and foreign operators and a detailed manual for those looking to fully understand the complex systems of this military workhorse. You can get your copy of the DC Designs' F-4 Phantom from the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace for $34.99. According to the developer's "Friday News Update" on Facebook, an updated is planned to drop next week to address any bug fixes.
TFDi Design shared their MD-11 off at FlightSimExpo last month and has since been working hard to make progress on the long-awaited aircraft. In this development update, the team shared the progress they have made, particularly regarding engine start-up, autoflight and the brakes and gear systems. Since June, the TFDi Design team has achieved engine start-up without the assistance of the simulator (e.g. Control+E). This is a big step forward, but TFDi Design says that there is still work to do. There is a focus on ensuring that the air system is fully developed and that we will hear more about the pneumatic system in the future. Another area which has seen significant progress is the brake and gear system. The CONFIG Secondary Display (SD) has now been implemented with a full simulation of landing gear, tires and brakes. TFDi Design says that the brakes behave realistically, and there are also some pilot-induced failures. The hydraulics which power the braking system also works realistically, meaning if you don't have hydraulics, then you won't have brakes. Brakes will also overheat, meaning if you get them too hot, they could depressurize the tire. TFDi Design has also developed a custom autobrake system that will decelerate the aircraft at the speed the real aircraft does as well. The central landing gear responds appropriately to the CTR GESR NORM/UP switch, meaning it can be controlled separately. Finally, the reverse thrust system has been implemented. One area that has seen a huge amount of work is the autoflight system. TFDi Design says that the autoflight system is now fully functional in Microsoft Flight Simulator. All standard modes are implemented and the aircraft is "flying relatively well." Along with this, there is also improvements to the LSAS functionality too. Furthermore, TFDi Design has implemented a single cue PFD layout as an option for those wishing to use it. There have also been some improvements with the visuals, with other yokes and throttles seeing improvements. Animations in the cockpit have also been improved. All of these changes go towards making the MD-11 ready for release. One thing TFDi Design is keen to do is to be more transparent with how development is progressing. They recognise that the pre-order system requires trust from the community, which is why they have built a new MD-11 progress page. This page breaks down each of the various components of making an aircraft and then applies a percentage of completion and timeframes for when there will be a new update. You can check out the page on their website. If you do want to pre-order the MD-11, you can still do so via their website for $80, which is a saving of $5.00 USD. smartCARS 3 Not only has the MD-11 seen improvements in the past few months, but so too has smartCARS 3. The newest update fixes a number of bugs, whilst also improving on the premium features. "As we approach the end of the Premium roadmap, we are getting closer to a Release Candidate for smartCARS 3, which will mark a code freeze for the project until release"
Hardware maker VIRPIL has opened a new UK-specific store for customers to buy their hardware. The decision was made to open up a UK store following Brexit which will help customers in the country not have to worry about customs, import fees, and currency conversions. The new UK website is now live and customers can save 20% on all orders up until July 31st 2023. Products ordered via the store will be shipped with DPD for a speedy delivery service. In addition to the new webstore, VIRPIL now has a physical location in the UK. At the moment it serves as a place to ship out products, the company has said that they will be making a display area to demo cockpits. This isn't open yet, but the team will update when this is the case. Check out the store now and remember to take advantage of the discount available up until the end of the month.
A new video has been shared by BlueBird Simulations that includes new details on the 757 for Microsoft Flight Simulator, along with a tease of the 767 and also a future upcoming secret project. In the video, Sherman, the CEO of BlueBird Simulations, began by saying that there is a new website full of new information surrounding the project. He says that the aim is to get the Boeing 757 passenger version into your hands by the end of the year, but this may slip into 2024. Once the passenger version is out, a cargo variant will be released as a paid upgrade. Once the cargo variant comes out, there will also be enhanced systems which will be a free update for the passenger version. It's good to note that the plane is based on normal operations, no failures. During a photo shoot with the 767, the team were able to capture sound recordings of the RB-211 engine. This means they can start implementing sounds for start-up, shut down and idle from the engine. The 757 is alpha testing right now, with almost 40 people all taking part in putting it through its paces in order to get feedback to make it as robust as possible. "We have a long way to on this project", but it may get slipped into the new year. BlueBird will keep people updated on this. Don't expect it in beta for several months, as they want to make sure it's at a good place. On the 767, the team were out taking pictures of the plane, with Sherman having 4 hours to himself on the plane. Roughly 2000 pictures were taken, capturing measurements and intimate areas of the plane to ensure they can model it to the finest detail. Some sounds were recorded for the 767 but more needs to come. BlueBird Simulations said that they are working to make this the "most accurate 767 ever made for flight simulator." Do not expect much more 767 news until the 757 passenger version is released. During the same photoshoot, BlueBird Simulations were able to get unique access to another plane, which is not yet disclosed. Photos of the inside and outside were taken for this secret project. They won't mention it or work on it until the 767 is in beta. "This is a plane not many people get access to." You can see a range of the pictures from the photoshoot in the video above. In the meantime, you can check out previous footage of the 757 in action, including it flying a DME arc and also plenty of cockpit pictures.
Horizon Simulations and Kurorin have released the much-anticipated V2.1.0 update for their freeware Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The extensive update, which has been showcased by content creators and streamers over the past few weeks has gained much attention from the community. V2.1.0 by the Horizon Simulations team and Kuro further works on the Asobo Studio & Working Title AAU2 (aircraft and avionics update 2) overhaul that was made to Microsoft Flight Simulator's Boeing 787-10 which is included for owners of the Premium Deluxe Edition of the simulator. This new update includes new cockpit texture fonts, new MCP fonts, wing flex fixes, gear fixes, significant flight model reworking, fixes to the model, built-in GSX profile, reworked flaps, new beacon lights, reworked aircraft data, checklist updates, max ceiling altitude set to FL430 and more. You can follow the progress of the Kuro Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner by joining the Horizon Simulations Discord here. You can download the V2.1.0 update for the Kuro Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner here. Installation Instructions from Horizon Simulations "Once downloaded, extract the file and run the installer. The installer will remove your previous installation & install the new 2.1.0 version. You will need to tell the installer where your third-party sound packs are if you have any. Third-party liveries may cause conflicts (they can be looking for old file structures (for example, they can stop sound working), use old textures/details and therefore be incompatible) and in the first instance you should try a default livery and/or run the livery converter on a third party livery and if that doesn't work please contact the third party livery creator. We recommend that you do not use any other mods, with this new update due to the incorporation of some into the build such as Wingflex, fonts etc." The full changelog can be found below. Changelog [INT] New cockpit texture fonts [INT] New MCP fonts [FX/INT] New interior lights [FX/EXT] Beacon light improvements [SYS] Set max ceiling altitude to FL430 [FM] Wing flex fix [FM] Bounce fix [FM] Gear Compression fix [FM] Steering fix [EXT] Steering fix [FM] Fix Pitches from an External View [FM] Fix Cruising with a negative pitch [FM] Flight Director overshoot on turn fix [FM] Reworked flaps and slats configuration [FM] Flight model dimensions & position update [FM] Reworked aircraft data based on simulation software [FM] Reworked default payload stations based on BAW cabin layout [SYS] Adjust RA on the ground [UI] Add Checklists [INT/EXT/LIV] minor texture & model bug fixes [INT] New cockpit texture decals [UI] Add a tool to export Community folder lists to the Installer for easier support [UI] Add a changelog link to the Installer
Following Mathijs Kok leaving Aerosoft earlier this month, the reigns of the Aerosoft A330 have been handed over to a new project manager. Whilst Aerosoft's typical method of showcasing new information for an upcoming project is often reserved for the forums, the team decided that a new hub page was in order for their biggest project yet. The new Aerosoft A330 Hub Page, now live, is full of screenshots, information and a short FAQ that will answer questions from the community. Most of those screenshots we have shared already on our site, so there's nothing new visually. However, in the short developer post, we did learn of three major issues that are currently preventing the plane from releasing. The first of which is the lateral tracking of the ILS approach. Under certain circumstances, the plane will touch down next to the runway, rather than actually on it. Another issue is that for certain waypoint types, the autopilot will not intercept and follow the track correctly. Finally, the last issue is that importing a flight plan into the MCDU will result in a noticeable performance impact. What is weird is that entering the route manually will not cause any issues. These are just three issues highlighted by the development post. The soundscape is still being worked on, along with some usability functions within the cockpit itself. Aerosoft said that the A330 is more of a platform than a singular product, which is likely why the A330NEO will be the next major aircraft after it has been released. In the FAQ, we did learn that the Aerosoft A330 will be forward-compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (as a free-of-charge update) and that both SimBrief and GSX are compatible with the plane. The Aerosoft A330 Hub Page will be updated with new information. We'll keep our eyes peeled on it for anything significant to be updated. If you want to learn more about the Aerosoft A330, check out our first impressions article from when we went hands-on with it back at FlightSimExpo 2023. Feel free to also watch the recent trailer for the plane.
The release of the PMDG 737 on the in-sim Marketplace was met with enthusiasm, but then some of that diminished when Xbox users in particular were not able to fly the aircraft in the livery of their favourite airline. However, the new PMDG livery packs are now live on the marketplace for anyone to now download and use. In total, four packs have been released on the in-sim Marketplace. Two are for the 737-700 and two are for the 737-800. In the 737-700 Liveries Vol 1 Pack, you will find the following liveries: Aerolines Argentinas Delta Airlines (2009) KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (2019) Ryanair (2015) Southwest Airlines United Airlines Westjet BBJ Version - First Virtual Air BBJ Version - Wuleen Investment Corp BDSF Version - SpiceJet In the 737-700 Liveries Vol 2 Pack, you will find the following liveries: AeroMexico Alaska Airlines GOL Transportes Aeros Luxair SmartWings United Airlines (2010 - Merger) Westjet (Maple Logo) BBJ Version - Boeing Demonstrator BBJ Version - TY Air BDSF Version - Alaska Airlines Cargo In the 737-800 Vol 1 Pack, you will find the following liveries: Aeroitalia Alaska Airlines American Airlines (2018 - TWA Heritage) Seven Three Seven Two Aviation FedEx Norwegian Air Shuttle BBJ2 Version - Prime Air BCF Version - Ryanair BCF Version - DHL BDSF Version - WestJet In the 737-800 Vol 2 Pack, you will find the following liveries: Alaska Airlines Comair Limited Delta Airlines Mango Airlines Pegasus Airlines Southwest Airlines Virgin Australia BBJ2 Version - Gama Aviation BCF Version - Cargoair BCF Version - Prime Air Each of the packs is $4.99 via the in-sim marketplace for both PC and Xbox. You will need to own the correct version of the plane in order to use their respective pack.
Pyreegue Dev Co's East Midlands Airport has been long-awaited by many for quite some time. The development team has shared numerous previews of the product for months now, each showcasing the amount of detail the developer is adding to the regional UK airport. The release is nearing as streamer ClearedTakeoff has been live streaming a pre-release copy of the airport. In the various streams, one of which is 2 hours long, showcases the airport and all of the smaller details found in and around it. Even Pyreegue are confident in the level of detail with the airport product as they said this East Midlands Airport is, "the most sophisticated, state of the art piece of scenery engineering for any flight simulation platform." East Midlands Airport (EGNX) is a regional airport in the North of England. Whilst it does serve many routes for passengers, it has a huge cargo presence in the UK. This makes it attractive to simmers looking to take slightly larger aircraft to the regional airport, but still in a realistic manner. We'll be keeping a close eye on the situation and sharing the news once it has been released.
If, like me, you are struggling to know where to fly on any particular day, sometimes getting that bit of inspiration can be hard. This was something that flight simmer Daniel Lange also struggled with. As a result, he created a new website called Where2Fly in order to help provide inspiration on where to fly next in your simulator of choice. The website features a few functions that will help set some parameters so that you can find something that is appealing to you. A basic search will give you the chance to input your starting ICAO, the region you're intending on flying to, and also the ability to select the flight length. A more advanced search also works that allows you to fly only where there is a good amount of VATSIM coverage, or you can even select a bunch of weather conditions if you're looking for something like a thunderstorm or hazardous winds. There is also a top-destinations list per continent also. You can also apply various filters like aircraft type you're flying and runway length to ensure you pick routes suitable to what may be in your hangar. There is also some basic SimBrief integration that allows you to start building a route based on the airport selected. Daniel from Where2Fly told us, "I decided to create a non-profit service that can give you suggestions based on challenging weather and/or ATC coverage on VATSIM. Hence Where2Fly.today was born." He continued, "[Where2Fly features] simple search, advanced search with loads of filters, top lists per continent." It's a useful website for those looking to be inspired on where to fly next. Where will you be heading this weekend? You can check out Where2Fly at their website, Where2Fly.today.
The helicopter from Fast Cow Production was first announced at FlightSimExpo 2023 and the team has recently revealed a new trailer for the Cicaré CH-8. You can watch the trailer above. Fast Cow's rendition of the Cicaré CH-8 will include accurate systems, an authentic flight model, custom sounds, and a highly detailed exterior model. The developers are also working on a fully functional failure system. The team aims to find a balance between real-life and simulation aspects while exploring new boundaries. It has also been officially licensed. The Cicaré 8 is an ultralight two-seater helicopter, with agility attributed to its robust 140hp engines. Its cabin is entirely constructed from carbon fibre, giving it an ultralight design for a fun and versatile helicopter. No pricing or release date was shared at this time, but we'll keep our eyes on it.
VATSIM took to their forum to announce their "Cross Africa - Southbound" event hosted by their Sub-Sahara Africa division (VATSSA), Maghreb vACC, and Egypt vACC. This year's event will take place on Saturday, August 5th, starting at 0900z. For those unfamiliar with these larger-scale VATSIM events, the goal is replicate real-life operations by providing full air traffic control coverage to flight simulator pilots. This means pilots will talk to clearance delivery all the way through to center control. In addition, because of the shear number of pilots expected to fly, pilots must pre-book a specific departure time, or slot, to help manage the flow of traffic. For this year's Cross Africa event, the departure airports will be Mohammed V International Airport (GMMN/CMN) in Casablanca, Morocco and Cairo International Airport (HECA/CAI) in Cairo, Egypt. The destination airports include Kotoka International Airport (DGAA/ACC) in Accra, Ghana, Entebbe International Airport (HUEN/EBB) in Entebbe, Uganda, and O. R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR/JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Pilots even have the option to book one leg to Accra or Entebbe, and then book another down to Johannesburg. To experience the wonders of the continent of Africa, book your slot for Crossing Africa - Southbound on VATSSA's website.
iniBuilds has updated both their Stansted and New York John F. Kennedy Airports for Microsoft Flight Simulator. New York John F. Kennedy Airport Update The update for New York John F. Kennedy Airport focuses a lot on improving performance, especially for those on lower-end PCs. That said, the impact should also be beneficial for those on more powerful systems. LOD improvements have been made across the whole airport to help improve performance across the board. There have also been some changes to various terminal buildings, which will help improve up the speed of loading and also fixing various elements of it. The new version of New York John F. Kennedy can be downloaded through the iniManager or via SIMMARKET if you purchased it from there. The update has likely (we say this as it's not explicitly confirmed) been sent to Microsoft for those who purchased it from the store and will be available in the future. You can buy iniBuilds' New York John F. Kennedy Airport from the iniBuilds store for £19.99. The full changelog is below. Stansted Airport Update The update for Stansted focuses primarily on the addition of using 'nool' VDGS units. The static VDGS units have been removed, that allow both nool or GSX units to be used. The iniManager tool also allows you to download the latest nool version and also be able to disable it. You can buy Stansted Airport from the iniBuilds store for £13.99. The full changelog is below. New York John F. Kennedy Airport v1.05 Changelog Extensive work to try and improve performance for those on lower-end PC's. Further LOD improvements to T8/9 interiors, interior clutter and people models. T4 and TWA people LOD improvements. All people models now reference a single texture and each terminal cluster has been merged to single node. T4/8/9 interior elements have each been merged to single elements. LOD adjustment to approach road and trainline model. Animations now deactivate at closer range. Reduced collision faces on north and south approach gantries. Removed day/night transition from approach gantries.. Removed animation tags from taxisigns. T4 broken down into multiple sections to speed up loading. T8 broken into multiple sections to reduce LOD scale per part. Correct LOD'ing applied to all container dollies. Fixed T4 interior not appearing correctly. Stansted Airport v1.03 Changelog Static VDGS units removed to allow for use with either nool or GSX. Added nool VDGS units. Added control panel switch to disable nool VDGS. Download for latest nool added to product page in iniManager.
Renowned X-Plane developer, ToLiss Simulation Solutions Inc., recently pushed an update to their Airbus A321 featuring some larger refinements and smaller features. Major new features include native Apple M1/M2 compatibility, new cockpit textures, animated cockpit windows, sunshades, and tray tables, pilot models, ground services suite including animated deicing, ACARS printing functionality, and a rework of the engine sound suite. If you haven't already purchased the ToLiss Airbus A321 and would like to do so, you can buy it on the official X-Plane Store for $89.99 USD. For more information about this update, check out the full feature list below: ToLiss Airbus A321 Version 1.6 Changelog Major new features: Apple Native M1/M2 compatibIlity New cockpit textures Animated cockpit windows, sunshades, tray tables etc. Pilot models in external view Full ground services suite, including animated deicing ACARS Print function Rework of the sound suite for all engine types Minor new features: ISCS redesign including a scalable ISCS Retuned VLS and approach pitch Retuned the pitch moment balance with extended flaps Addition of 24 new C/Bs bringing the total to 161 functional C/Bs Addition of Radio Altimeter failure model Improved aircraft startup sequence simulating also MCDU, FWC and FMGS startup times Oil temperature indication on ECAM now changes according to logic specific for the given engine type Increase landing gear tire resolution for a rounder experience Added console lights (XP12 only) Increase number of possible simultaneous faults to 20 Added PRED WS OFF memo Automatic reversion to arrival or departure ATIS request if regular ATIS is not available (via Hoppie network) Added DDRMI failure flags in case of loss of power or invalid needle angles Added different flap angles between A321CEO and A321NEO as in real life Bug fixes: Added autopilot disconnection on manual trim. Reduced minimum valid preselected speed to allow speeds below 160kts. Improved mouse wheel pitch trim speed Fixed a bug with the descent profile following if below transition level and QNH in MCDU and QNH on FCU don't match Some improvements to the smartcopilot.cfg file Fixed a bug that caused the GS Mini not to be considered with pilot selected VAPP. Fixed jitter of the L/DEV and V/DEV scales that can occur under certain conditions when performing a GA during a non-precision approach Inhibit of EGT OVERLIMIT warning following an engine shutdown due to fire Brought the REV SET ECAM Caution back Fixed mouse wheel function on WX Radar System switches Fixed FBW behavior in case of loss of both FAC (no reversion to direct on L/G extension) Fixed FBW upmode logic to allow automatic upmode to normal law if conditions triggering a degenerated law are gone. Fixed link between APU start capability and battery availability Improved VLS computation in dual hydraulic cases with slats frozen in the retracted position. Improved rudder authority for VMGC and Beta target Fixed a crash in PDC/CPDLC messages if there are space characters in the wrong spot. Fixed a bug with fuel consumption during 200NM jumps
After an extensive development period, A2A Simulations has released their long-awaited Accu-Sim Comanche 250 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The aircraft is a recreation of the Piper PA-24 Comanche 250. The aircraft was first introduced in 1958 with a Lycoming O-540 engine, giving the PA-24-250 Comanche a top cruise speed of 160 knots. The aircraft was designed for longer-distance travelling and better fuel efficiency, all of which is shown through its retractable landing gear. From the feature list, we have learned a lot about the upcoming Accu-Sim Comanche 250. This includes the new advanced turbulence system with subtle wing flex animation,s the new airframe vibration system, authentic fuel simulations and a physics-driven sound environment. A total of over 1000 sounds have been recorded for the dynamic sound effects. A range of displays and navigation tools are also part of the package when the Comanche 250 releases. This includes a JPI EDM 830 engine monitor, a Narco avionics stack with various navigation and com units, custom integration of the default/Working Title GNS 430W, and also support for the PMS GTN 750 and TDS GTN 750Xi if installed. There is also a custom simulation of the S-TEC system 30 two-axis autopilot. Other standout features include a custom electrical system analyzer and circuit breaker functionality, animation avatars, interactive walk-around features, and above all, fluid in-sim performance. The full feature list for the A2A Simulations Accu-Sim Comanche 250 is down below. Scott Gentile, President of A2A Simulations, said: "We are so very happy to say, we have succeeded in everything we set out to do. We didn't cut any corners and this brand new Accu-Sim technology represents everything we dreamed of. Perhaps the biggest dream and challenge was to create a new aerodynamics system that allowed us to model how an airplane flies through the air. It's the kind of simulation we knew was possible but wasn't yet realized. Nobody has done anything like this before. This represents a quantum leap for us, and it's the beginning of a whole new way of developing airplanes for flight simulation." You can read the manual already online here. You can buy the GA aircraft from their store for $49.99 USD. Feature List A brand new external aerodynamics engine built with Accu-Sim 2.0 'Merlin' technology. Remarkable performance accuracy based on operating A2A's own Comanche 250, N6229P, over many years. Unparalleled aircraft feel, handling characteristics and trim behaviour based on extensive flight testing. A complete physics-based per-cylinder simulation of the Lycoming O-540-A internal combustion engine. Dynamic ground physics featuring true weight on wheels simulation, tyre side-loading and response to different surface types. Advanced turbulence system and subtle wing flex simulation which responds based on turbulence strength, ground bumps and fuel load. Sophisticated airframe vibration physics with unique ground roll and engine vibration-based effects. Authentic fuel system simulates fuel lines, primer, strainers and fuel contamination. Custom oil system with dynamic viscosity and contaminants that degrade and change the color of the oil. Advanced engine starter simulation that physically turns the engine through its compression cycle. Physics-driven sound environment featuring well over a thousand dynamic sound effects. Beautifully-rendered external and internal modelling and texturing with subtle wear effects, dynamic aircraft registration decals and advanced animations. Detailed JPI EDM 830 engine monitor with authentic displays and leaning procedures. Custom-coded Narco avionics stack with NCS812 COM/NAV/DME unit, Mark12E COM/NAV, AT150 transponder, CP 136 audio panel and 841 ADF receiver. Customisable integration of MSFS default/Working Title GNS 430W and 530W GPS units and support for PMS GTN 750 and TDS GTN 750Xi if installed. Century NSD-360A HSI with custom needle-smoothing physics. Advanced simulation...
Parallel 42 has surprised the community by releasing ChasePlane Professional for Prepar3D v6. The new ChasePlane Professional is aimed primarily at commercial customers, thanks to the focus Lockheed Martin has on that market. Whilst Parallel 42 has said they won't be developing new products for Prepar3D v6, they still want to support commercial simulators customers and training centers. "[We're] happy to say that our plans have changed with regards to ChasePlane, thanks to the support of our commercial partners. This has allowed us to offer ChasePlane Professional for both personal and commercial users, making it a win-win for all." ChasePlane Professional has completely removed any code that supported older versions of FSX and Prepar3D, making it optimised and efficient for P3Dv6. ChasePlane presets will import without issue. IR support, motion effects, and cinematics are all still supported as before. Despite being sold under a 'commercial' license, ChasePlane Professional works with the following Prepar3D licenses: Personal Professional Professional Plus For years, Parallel 42 has released ChasePlane updates for free, but the transition to v6 will be a full new purchase for customers. However, there will be free updates throughout the lifecycle of Prepar3D v6, but if there is a v7, it will be a new purchase. ChasePlane Professional is currently available for $40.00 USD as part of a special 20% discount until the end of July. After that, it will be available only through the Parallel 42 store for $50.00 USD. Edit: Price update as it was cached on their site when we posted the original story.
PILOT'S has updated their FS Global Real Weather for Prepar3D v6, being one of the first developers to bring compatibility of their past products to the latest simulator from Lockheed Martin. The new update is compatible with the latest patch release for P3Dv6. FS Global Real Weather incorporates real-world weather data and offers various features such as realistic cloud formations, accurate wind behaviour, dynamic thermal effects, and improved turbulence simulation. It also includes local weather effects that are custom to specific locations in the world (e.g. Funchal's Madeira Airport has localised wind effects thanks to the cliffs) A "small" unspecified upgrade fee is available for customers who owned the product on previous versions of Prepar3D v6. If you don't already own it, then you can buy it from the PILOT'S store for 34.99 EUR (excluding taxes). If you're looking for more weather add-on products, be sure to check out HiFi Sim Tech's Active Sky for Prepar3D v6.
Scenery developer Aviation-Sim-Design has released a new airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator via the Aerosoft store. Norden-Norddeich (EDWS), an airfield in northern Germany, occupies the northernmost part of the Landkreis Aurich. Furthermore, Norden-Norddeich is set to become the operational hub for NHC Northern Helicopter, an aerial rescue organization that will transport injured individuals from the wind farms to mainland hospitals in the vicinity. Features include detailed 3D buildings with interior modelling, PBR texturing on all objects and realistic night lighting. There is also custom aerial imagery for the whole airfield, numerous animations in and around the airport, and also a number of static aircraft spread throughout. You can buy Aviation-Sim-Design's Norden-Norddeich from Aerosoft for €9.20 (excluding taxes). Features: Highly detailed 3D buildings with interiors for the terminal, HTM and FLN hangar Realistic PBR textures on all objects Static aircraft with real liveries (BN-2, H145, Cessna) True-to-original taxiway and runway materials Realistic nighttime lighting (based on time of day) Custom made aerial view for the entire airfield PDF manual (English and German) Various animations, e.g. static helicopters being moved in and out of the hangar, traffic, barriers, gates etc. Up-to-date layouts for the taxiways and runways Custom made vegetation, roads and terrain / detailed trenches around the airfield Optimized for peak performance and visual quality Parking lot with cars at the port / town of Norden Models and textures based on on-site photos Usable helipads
A new patch (v6.0.28) for Prepar3D v6 has been released. This is in fact the second patch to be released since Prepar3D came out earlier this month. You can also read about the first patch down below, too. The changelog includes fixes that prevent clouds from rendering when using SimConnect, a fix for various airport background and elevation problems, and also texturing fixes for a number of aircraft. With Prepar3D v6, updates are downloaded automatically when loading up the simulator. They can then be applied automatically once it has been downloaded. This is one of the key differences in version 6 of Lockheed Martin's simulator compared to older versions. You can read more about the key features of Prepar3D v6 with our exclusive interview with the team. If you're looking to pick up the simulator, be sure to understand the license and pricing model. However, it's worth noting that some developers are opting to not bring their products to Prepar3D v6 due to a declining demand of customers. Prepar3D v6.0 Patch 2 All fixes and updates from previous patches. Fixed issue preventing clouds from rendering when using weather SimConnect calls. Fixed issue causing cloud bottoms to be flat in some instances. Fixed issue preventing the menu bar from rendering on machines with 4 or less CPU cores. Fixed issue where manual adjustments to cruising altitude would be overwritten in some cases when using the flight planner. Texture and model fixes for the Maule, Mooney Bravo, Piper J-3 Cub, and various other air and ground vehicles including commercial airliners. Various airport background and elevation fixes. Information text is now white instead of red. Requires deleting Prepar3D.cfg file in %AppData% directory to take effect. Values in VolumetricClouds.cfg file are not used unless override is specified in file. Delete file in %ProgramData% directory to view override. Prepar3D v6.0 Patch 1 Fixed issue preventing C-130 variants from loading. Fixed issue causing distance remaining sign text to be off center. Additional airport surface updates. Added retry connection option to personal license disconnected pop up screen. Fixed crash seen at certain sloped airports. Fixed issue with volumetric cloud queries in multi-view cases. Fixed issue with metric weight conversions in Fuel/Payload screen. Improved atmospheric irradiance ambient lighting. Fixed issue preventing gun list from populating in SimDirector. Fixed issue with ambient bounce lighting on clouds. Increased TAA sharpness. Fixed issue with gun loadouts on F-35 B and C variants. Tuned defensive flare effect. Fixed issue with patch installation UI if application was updated but user chose not to install.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a great simulator for general aviation flying, thanks to the detailed world and environment below. One developer that many have longed to see finally enter the market is A2A Simulations. We have known for a while that the team had been working on bringing the Comanche 250 to the simulator and we saw a detailed presentation of the aircraft during FlightSimExpo 2023. However, the latest previews from the team are some of the most detailed yet and give us a really good insight into what to expect from the plane. Preview Images A selection of new 4K images was shown off on the A2A Simulations website. We have a range of previews from both the external and internal view, highlighting the modelling and texture work that A2A will include with the Comanche 250. We also get a preview of the onboard tablet that will become quite useful throughout your flying experience. New Video Footage and Tutorial As the Comanche 250 gets closer to release, the A2A Simulations team has began releasing video content highlighting the plane. The first video released is all about the Accu-Sim Comanche 250 at cruise, whereby Scott gives information and demonstrations on achieving the most efficient way to make the aircraft fly. It is 16 minutes of glorious footage that combines education and also a great look at some of the depth the Accu-Sim engine will bring to this aircraft. Features One of the key components of any product page is the feature list. A2A Simulations has already shared this with the community via their website ahead of the plane's release. From the feature list, we have learned a lot about the upcoming Accu-Sim Comanche 250. This includes the new advanced turbulence system with subtle wing flex animation,s the new airframe vibration system, authentic fuel simulations and a physics-driven sound environment. A total of over a 1000 sounds have been recorded for the dynamic sound effects. A range of displays and navigation tools are also part of the package when the Comanche 250 releases. This includes a JPI EDM 830 engine monitor, a Narco avionics stack with various navigation and com units, custom integration of the default/Working Title GNS 430W, and also support for the PMS GTN 750 and TDS GTN 750Xi if installed. There is also a custom simulation of the S-TEC system 30 two-axis autopilot. Other standout features include a custom electrical system analyzer and circuit breaker functionality, animation avatars, interactive walk-around features, and above all, fluid in-sim performance. The full feature list for the A2A Simulations Accu-Sim Comanche 250 is down below. We are confident that the aircraft will release very soon for Microsoft Flight Simulator. We'll of course keep you updated when we learn more. Feature List A brand new external aerodynamics engine built with Accu-Sim 2.0 'Merlin' technology. Remarkable performance accuracy based on operating A2A's own Comanche 250, N6229P, over many years. Unparalleled aircraft feel, handling characteristics and trim behaviour based on extensive flight testing. A complete physics-based per-cylinder simulation of the Lycoming O-540-A internal combustion engine. Dynamic ground physics featuring true weight on wheels simulation, tyre side-loading and response to different surface types. Advanced turbulence system and subtle wing flex simulation which responds based on turbulence strength, ground bumps and fuel load. Sophisticated airframe vibration physics with unique ground roll and engine vibration-based effects. Authentic fuel system simulates fuel lines, primer, strainers and fuel contamination. Custom oil system with dynamic viscosity and contaminants that degrade and change the color of the oil. Advanced engine starter simulation that physically turns the engine through its compression cycle. Physics-driven sound environment featuring well over a thousand dynamic sound effects. Beautifully-rendered external and internal modelling and texturing with subtle wear...
Burning Blue Design has released Sibson Aerodrome for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Sibson Aerodrome, located 65 miles East of Birmingham, was founded in 1930 as the Peterborough and District Aero Club. It later transitioned into a Royal Air Force training base during World War II, serving as a home for several Squadrons providing training for new pilots and running operational exercises. The aerodrome later transferred to private ownership and is now home to the UK Parachuting Skydiving Centre and, the Peterborough Flying School. Burning Blue Design has gone to great lengths to accurately depict the aerodrome in MSFS, visiting the site numerous times to collect reference data and images. Sibson Aerodrome is available to purchase now, from Burning Blue Design's website, for £10.95. Features: Over 100 custom 3D objects each with full Physical Based Rendering (PBR) textures Up-to-date layout with accurate runways, taxiways with custom runway lights and taxi signs Detailed hangar interiors with working animated hangar doors Highly detailed cafe interior Completely custom windsock and dynamic animated flags Real-life static aircraft based at Sibson: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan (G-UKPA) Cessna A150 (G-HIVE and G-BAEP) Icarus C42 (G-CJAP) Full night lighting and dynamic weather compatibility Enhanced high-resolution colour corrected ground textures
Developer MXI Design recently took to their Instagram account to share the news that their latest scenery for MSFS is out. This time, the team has released Kukës International Airport Zayed in Albania. Kukës International Airport Zayed (KFZ/LAKU) traces its roots back to 1929 when it served as a domestic airfield before eventually being converted into a military airfield 15 years later. In the early 2000s, the United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, proposed a plan to construct a new Kukës airport in order to boost the local economy. The airport officially opened in April 2021 and was named Kukës International Airport Zayed to honor Sheikh Zayed. MXI Design's rendition of the airport includes all the essentials of a MSFS scenery, including PBR textures on all the buildings, detailed terminal interiors, and realistic modeling of the airport buildings and ground markings. With the airport being nestled near tall mountains, flying into Kukës is sure to be an exciting adventure for any flight simulator pilot. You can purchase MXI Design's Kukës International Airport Zayed scenery from the iniBuilds website for €9.90. Features Highly detailed Kukës Airport scenery Up do date ground layouts High detailed ground polygons and markings Accurately high detailed modelled airport buildings for best rendition of the airport PBR Texturing on all airport buildings Interior model of terminals for gives a depth 3D Passengers Custom CGL
Just Flight's Facebook page recently announced the upcoming release of Black Square's Piston and Turbine versions of the Beechcraft Duke for MSFS. The Beechcraft 60 Duke is a twin-engine general aviation aircraft that was produced by American manufacturer Beechcraft between 1968 and 1983. Almost 600 planes were built during its production run, and the aircraft even featured retractable landing gear and a pressurized cabin. The Duke received several performance improvements with the introduction of the Beechcraft A60 and B60. While the piston and turbine versions of Black Square's Duke will be sold as two different products, the two will share a lot of similarities. For starters, Black Square is marketing this add-on as their "best aircraft yet," with feature-rich systems and modeling that will challenge even the most seasoned flight simulator pilots. Both aircraft will feature mostly analog instrumentation with limited modern radio navigation equipment. In addition, the inclusion of over 110 possible failures, over 500 settable checklist items, a custom 3D sound pack, and more will elevate the flying experience. As mentioned, Black Square is planning two versions of the Duke. The turbine version will include the "Grand Duke" performance package and a higher-performance turbine engine. On the other hand, the piston version will be based on the 1974 B60 Duke, with options to fly with or without the "Grand Duke" performance package. According to Just Flight's Facebook post, both aircraft are slated for released in roughly 1-2 months. For more information on both aircraft, you can visit their respective product pages on Just Flight's website. FSElite will continue to monitor the progress of both aircraft and provide any future updates.
V Pilot Designs has released Yampa Valley Airport (KHDN) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Yampa Valley Airport, also known as Yampa Valley Regional Airport, is a small public airport located in Hayden, Colorado, United States. It serves as the main airport for the region and is situated approximately 22 miles west of Steamboat Springs, a popular ski resort town in the picturesque Rocky Mountains. Yampa Valley has an elevation of 6,606ft and has one 10,000ft runway which can handle numerous small to medium-sized aircraft such as the Boeing 737, Boeing 757, Airbus A320 and Bombardier CRJs. Although during bad weather conditions in the winter months, some aircraft have to divert to other airports such as Denver International Airport. The airport is served by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and United Express. Popular destinations out of Yampa Valley include Denver, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Houston, Atlanta, and Los Angeles. V Pilot Designs rendition features high-quality texturing, the main terminal building and surrounding buildings modelled, accurate ground markings and textures, custom lighting, decoration and more. You can purchase V Pilot Designs Yampa Valley Airport (KHDN) for Microsoft Flight Simulator exclusively on the MSFS Marketplace for $14.99. Features Main Terminal Building Ground Markings and Textures Fuel Center Fire Dept Misc Lighting and Decoration
Hardware maker Kav Simulations has released its A3XX EFIS LCD Display. The new display comes hot off the heels of their FCU display, which was released back in May 2023. This new product replicates the Airbus EFIS display, allowing those building cockpits at home get a realistic display. The product is made from high-quality materials and designed specifically for the A320 family of aircraft. The unit does come with pin headers pre-soldered for the connection pins, but those on the opposite side are not. These are designed to assist with mounting to a PCB if needed. Crafted with the highest quality materials, our LCD display is custom designed for the Airbus A320 family of aircraft, providing a realistic and accurate representation of the instrument panel. With intuitive firmware and a sleek design, our display is easy to use and perfect for enhancing your in-flight simulator setup. Product Page You can buy yours now from the Kav Simulations website for the special promo price of £34.99 (tax included). This promotional price will last a week before the price will go back to its usual £39.99. If you want to pick up the FCU unit, you. can check that out in our previous post.
South Oak Co, the developer behind FS Birds and 'Traffic in Sight' has released a new add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator which adds the phenomenon known as aurora borealis. Also known as The Northern Lights, this sky phenomenon is typically seen during between September and April in the Northern Hemisphere. The vibrant and colourful light arrangement bounces around the dark sky, thanks to the movement of solar winds. The developer has implemented this environmental effect into Microsoft Flight Simulator thanks to "advanced algorithms" and this then "accurately recreates the mesmerizing light patterns." Once installed, you will able to find aurora borealis in various geographical regions from 60°N to 83°N latitude. During the winter months, this changes to lower latitudes. South Oak Co says that the add-on is also performance friendly, meaning there will be no impact on your frame rate or loading times. You can pick up South Oak Co's Aurora Borealis: Northern Lights Released for MSFS from SIMMARKET for €7.99 (excluding taxes). If you own any number of previous releases from the developer via SIMMARKET, you an save yourself a Euro.
Earlier in the week, Just Flight released the F28 Professional for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The classic airliner is completely different to anything flying in today's modern era, but that shouldn't stop you from checking out the aircraft product. Just Flight has worked hard to replicate this historic jet for the simulator, including plenty of nuances that really make the aircraft feel life-like. Of course, it being a bit older comes with a bit more complexity for those unfamiliar. This is why Just Flight has produced a series of video tutorials to teach you the basics of getting the aircraft underway on a full flight. The series starts with a product overview (above), that gives you a really deep look at some of the finer details Just Flight has included with the F28 Professional. The video explores the flight deck, the included liveries and a tour of some of the features found in the interactive cabin. In addition, there are four tutorials that take you from powering on the aircraft all the way to touchdown and landing. Each video is 15-20 minutes long, meaning you can easily digest the information to ensure your flight goes smoothly. Tutorial Videos Powering on the Aircraft Engine Start and Taxi Take off and Climb Descent and Landing Just Flight had access to real-world Fokker F28 models when modelling the aircraft, resulting in a highly accurate external and interior recreation of the plane. The model features 4k textures and accurate animations throughout, as well as custom ground service equipment and optional equipment, such as an engine hush kit and HF antennas. If you want to add the iconic Fokker F28 "Fellowship" to your hangar collection, then head over to the Just Flight online store page where you can buy the iconic twin-engine regional jet for £52.49, subject to local taxes.
Scenery developer Barelli MSFS Addon has released Malaga Airport (LEMG) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Malaga Airport is a prominent international airport located in the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain. It is served by many airlines including Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, Iberia, Vueling and many others. The vast majority of its 18.5 million passengers are international tourists. Despite being a more leisure-focused route, it's one of Spain's busiest airports. There is no feature list on the product page so we cannot tell you what features come with it. Based on screenshots, we can see custom buildings, ground markings, and various outer airport buildings. You can buy the airport from SIMMARKET for €17.50.
A short and sweet post on Facebook shared a few days ago (sorry!) confirmed that scenery developer, Boundless, is working on North Weald Airfield for X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12. North Weald Airfield is a historic airfield located near the village of North Weald Bassett in the Epping Forest district of Essex. North Weald Airfield has also been used as a filming location for numerous movies and television shows. It has provided a backdrop for period dramas, war films, and even science fiction productions. The team revealed a bunch of early renders of the airport. It's good to note that this is very early in the development stage, so there is still plenty of work to be done before it's released. Boundless is known for creating quality airports in X-Plane, including Faro, Stansted and smaller airports like Shebdon. No doubt that the team will be working to make even this small airfield a quality product for those looking to adventure around North Weald. We will keep you posted on developments.
New images showing off the development of the Working Title EFB, used in the overhauled default 787-10, have been shown off. The Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) is a tool that many pilots use daily to help with things such as aircraft performance. One screenshot highlights the Performance-Takeoff page which is big news for those of us who enjoy optimizing takeoff configuration. The other screenshot shows the main menu which indicates that we may expect integrated charts, documents, pilot utilities, video, data loading, and more. However, we won't actually know until more information is released. As always, stay tuned to FSElite as your one-stop-shop for all things flight simulator and we'll be sure to update you as more information is released about the EFB. Edit: We originally published this article that it was related to the Kuro 787-8 freeware product. This was an error on our part and for that we deeply apologise. We have edited this article to reflect new EFB images. We value your feedback and once again apologize for the error.
LatinVFR has shared on social media what they plan on adding to their suite of Airbus aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator in the major update for the products. There are a total of eleven items on the list from LatinVFR to enhance and improve the current offering. Some of the biggest changes the team plan on implementing include IRS alignment simulation, customised VNAV behaviour so that the aircraft follows altitude constraints, improvements to the EFB, and also new fuel predictions with estimated fuel at the destination. Other planned improvements include a new EFB for the co-pilot, corrections with take off and initial climb speeds and also a new cruise page added to the ECAM. LatinVFR currently has a range of Airbus aircraft for sale including the A321NEO, the A319 and the A318. The update is planned to cover the whole fleet of planes developed by the team. These aircraft are aimed at an audience that are looking for something more complex than the default A320NEO, but a little easier to master than the FlyByWire or the Fenix Simulations offering. When asked on Facebook, LatinVFR confirmed that all of these features are planned and still require testing in an Xbox environment before it can be released. They're aiming to have the updates out by the end of the month. Here are the 11 changes planned by LatinVFR. IRS alignment Customized Autopilot VNAV behavior. Plane now follows altitude constraints on descent. Takeoff speeds, initial climb phase target speeds correction. Descent and Landing speeds customization on auto throttle Navigraph implementation on the EFB. Simbrief flight plan menu on the EFB. New menus and enhancements on the EFB. Co-pilot now has an EFB. FUEL PRED page on CDU predicts estimated fuel at destination. Cruise page added on ECAM. Other fixes and enhancements.
Attention all vintage airliner enthusiasts! Just Flight has released their version of the renowned Dutch commuter workhorse, the Fokker F28 "Fellowship" for MSFS. The Fokker F28 "Fellowship" is a Dutch-manufactured short-range commuter aircraft. It was first introduced in 1965 and originally served as the successor to the then-popular Fokker F27 "Friendship" turboprop airliner. The Fokker F28 "Fellowship" was developed to meet British European Airways' need for a high-speed regional airliner powered by turbojet engines. The project involved manufacturers MBB, VFW-Fokker, and the Short Brothers. The final aircraft has a sleek, low-wing design with twin rear-mounted engines and fixed leading edges. Its unique T-tail configuration, where the horizontal stabilizer is mounted on top of the vertical fin, increases its aerodynamic efficiency. Together with its wing design, it allows the aircraft to operate from most airports already served by its sibling, the Fokker F27 "Friendship". One notable feature that sets the Fokker F28 apart from the competition is its movable split-sections installed on the tail cone, which function as a variable air brake, enabling the aircraft to slow down on approach. After much anticipation, it is finally time to take this nostalgic airliner for a spin. Just Flight, the renowned classic airliner developer, has released their version of this iconic Dutch airliner for MSFS, which you can now try out. The virtual recreation of the aircraft by Just Flight includes four different variants of the iconic airframe including, with each variant featuring a model-specific flight dynamic characteristics: Mk1000, featuring a maximum capacity of 70 passengers Mk2000, featuring a stretched fuselage and accommodating up to 79 passengers Mk3000, featuring a wing span extension Mk4000, featuring a further fuselage extension and accommodating up to 85 passengers Just Flight had access to real-world Fokker F28 models when modelling the aircraft, resulting in a highly accurate external and interior recreation of the plane. The model features 4k textures and accurate animations throughout, as well as custom ground service equipment and optional equipment, such as an engine hush kit and HF antennas. The cockpit has been meticulously recreated and features fully functional traditional steam gauges, buttons, and knobs, as well as a modern multi-function tablet that allows you to adjust various aircraft states, weight configurations, and optional equipment. For those who appreciate the beauty of the aircraft but are not confident enough to use VOR/DME navigation, an optional Garmin GNS530 GPS system is also available. Finally, the developer has also included a wide variety of liveries covering 31 different global operators for you to enjoy, and enabling you to take your Fokker for a spin across all four corners of the globe. If you want to add the iconic Fokker F28 "Fellowship" to your hangar collection, then head over to the Just Flight online store page where you can buy the iconic twin-engine regional jet for £52.49, subject to local taxes. To get you started right away, Just Flight has also published a series of educational tutorial videos linked here. Definitely check them out before attempting to start your Rolls-Royce Spey Mk 555 engines.
During FlightSimExpo 2023, FlightSim.to shared a teaser trailer for their upcoming new website redesign. The promise was a refreshed design that was built with user experience in mind. After some maintenance overnight, the website has been updated. FlightSim.to is one of the biggest websites in the industry, thanks to its huge catalogue of downloads for Microsoft Flight Simulator. It then ventured into the realm of offering payware products and then eventually a premium service for those users willing to pay. The new website is the result of creating a new user-friendly interface and future-proofing it for years to come. The new site “[aims] to provide flight simulation enthusiasts with a revitalized platform that sets a new standard for convenience, functionality, and enjoyment.” The new site has been built from the ground up, having incorporated user feedback from the community. “By leveraging the latest technologies and implementing robust backend infrastructure, we have significantly enhanced the overall speed and responsiveness of Flightsim.to,” their news post on the matter says. Some features are still being worked on and will be implemented as soon as possible. The team says that they will add features with continuous updates to the platform. “Together, we can shape Flightsim.to into an even more exceptional resource for flight simulation enthusiasts worldwide.” Whilst the team set out to create a more friendly experience for users, the comment section on their website overwhelmingly disagrees with this. User s_t said, “The new UI makes the site feel cluttered and confusing.” User FlyingsCool said “I love that the list of addons is long now and not multiple pages. The problem this causes with the way it’s currently programmed, if I click on an addon, it opens it in the same page. Ok, not so bad. But when I hit the browser Back button, I end up at the top of the page, and I have no idea where I was.” Many users in their comment section want the old design back, but FlightSim.to has said in their Q&A that this isn’t possible due to the changes made both in design and in the infrastructure. FlightSim.to have implemented a ‘Feedback’ button which does allow users to then share their feedback to help the team improve. You can head over to their website now and check out the changes for yourself.
It’s been two weeks since the biggest flight simulator conference, FlightSimExpo, took place in Houston, Texas. People from all over the world met to hear and see what developers had to show, and hopefully get a glimpse of the new content they are bringing to flight simulation. Similar for us, the FSElite team, we came from all over the world to tell you about the developers, what they were bringing to FSExpo and try and get a little bit more info from them through interviews. Some of us attended FSExpo for the first time, whereas others can be considered seasoned veterans by now. Either way, new or seasoned, here are some of our thoughts and take-aways from FSExpo. JordanFSExpo was a fantastic experience on another level from what I have experienced todate. To be in a room surrounded by 2000 like-minded people, as well as historicaircraft, was something that I had missed since attending other shows prior to thepandemic. This was my first visit to FSExpo and I was initially staggered bythe sheer number of big developers that were exhibiting, but also so many smallerexhibitors that I still hadn’t heard of. Many people in the flight simulation community also have a passion for other simulations such as racing, trucking, farming and even goats. JoelThis was my first time attending any kind of slight simulator event. Needless to say, I was blown away by everything from the product announcements to the booths. Even more importantly, I was humbled by the passionate people that I had the pleasure to nerd out with. It was an absolute pleasure to hear from many of our readers about FSElite’s impact on the community. It really emphasised what we as FSElite are doing and why we are doing it. MatthewThis was my first ever experience of a flight sim show, having only gotten truly absorbed into the hobby when MSFS released. Prior to joining FSElite I always imagined flight sim as a very niche thing, where add-ons were produced by volunteers or part-timers as side projects on top of a normal 9-5 day job. Since starting with FSElite though, I am in awe of the true scale of the industry that works every day behind our virtual cockpits. Meeting the hundreds of people from various development studios across diverse backgrounds attending the event is proof that the industry driving our hobby is absolutely thriving right now. It’s not just a niche thing anymore, where developer teams of a dozen or so people comprise the bulk of the market. TrevorI wasn’t quite sure what to expect from one of the world’s largest dedicated flight simulation conferences and tradeshows. Nor was I sure how to explain to friends and family where I was going for the weekend. I even went as far as brainstorming a cover story about “just a normal, boring work conference” if the person seated next to me asked what was bringing me to Houston. As FSExpo 2023 got underway on Friday afternoon, any apprehension I had was quickly dispelled. The energy in the room was palpable (and so was the heat). Over the next several hours, a who’s who of industry developers took the stage in front of a crowd of over a thousand people. Applause and cheers rang out as each new product was announced and new features were demonstrated. The chatter in the room between sessions was filled with enthusiasm and convivial chatter about the upcoming sessions and announcements. As I left the Grand Ballroom on day one, I couldn’t help but smile; After all of these years, it was great to finally be among like-minded flight simulation enthusiasts. “My” people. CalumI wanted to touch on the behind-the-scenes from our team. These shows are always hard work and tiring. You can probably see that in our faces as we do more and more interviews. This year was our biggest yet and I’m proud of the effort we put in. I’m pleased we managed to give coverage to a number of developers in a number of different ways this year. The at-home interviews gave us breathing space at the show, whilst our magazines helped to giv...
The SimMarket Facebook page recently shared the news that Aerosoft and Sim-Wings’ Munich V2 scenery is now available for MSFS. This exciting update brings a host of new features and buildings to the scenery. Munich International Airport (EDDM/MUC) is the second busiest airport in Germany and serves as the primary international gateway to Munich and Upper Bavaria. Opened in 1992, Munich Airport replaced the aging Munich-Riem Airport. The airport serves as a key base for Air Dolomiti, Condor, Eurowings/Eurowings Discover, Lufthansa, and TUI fly Deutschland. To meet increasing demand, Terminal 1 is currently undergoing a major expansion project, which is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025. The Munich V2 scenery builds upon the foundation of the V1 scenery with new features and buildings that more accurately reflect the real-world operations of Munich International Airport. Most notably, the scenery features a new terminal building at terminal 1, which is still under construction in real-life, and Aerosoft’s visual docking guidance system (VDGS). In addition, new buildings have been added to the northwestern business park, including the P44 parking deck, logistic center, and more. The airport has also received a number of cosmetic changes such as taxiway layout improvements, lighting improvements, an extended apron, and more. To improve realism, the developers have replace the default MSFS road overlays with custom overlays and reworked the terminal model to prevent snow from showing inside the buildings. You can purchase Aerosoft/Sim-Wings Munich V2 scenery from SimMarket for €20.97. If you were a customer of V1, V2 will provide as a free upgrade, and if you purchased the P3D version of the scenery from SimMarket, you can upgrade to the MSFS scenery for €13.42. Features Highly detailed scenery of Munich Airport Custom aerial photo for the airport, elaborate retouching and color-correction for a true display Seamless transition to the default simulator landscape Terraforming to blend airport into default elevation model Detailed taxi, ground lines and stands according to current maps Taxiway bridges across the access roads New terminal building (construction site) at T1 Extremely detailed Munich airport buildings with interiors (airside) and all additional buildings Complete freight area with container storage, hangars and buildings Animated jetways Many static apron vehicles Realistic night time dynamic lighting MSFS SDK materials (PBR) Now with working VDGS safegate system (Aerosoft module, PC only)
Prepar3D v6 brought with it a new atmospherics engine that rendered weather completely differently to previous versions of the simulator. HiFi Sim Tech, known for their weather engines in FSX, P3D and X-Plane, saw then the opportunity to revamped their technology for the new simulator with their newest release. Atcive Sky for P3Dv6 is a new version of the popular weather add-on that works specifically for the new simulator from Lockheed Martin. The comprehensive weather engine includes plenty of sources of data to generate realistic weather. this includes surface obersations, forecasts, global aloft air model data and also Sigmet and Airmet information. Should there be any hurricanes or tropical storms, it will also inject that data into the simulator. One of the biggest advantages of using Active Sky is the fact it can be used to inject custom, live and even historical weather. There is also voice ATIS briefings, a mobile companion app and an advanced map allowing you to see your route with weather layers. This is an early access product, and the price has been reduced to reflect that. HiFi Sim Tech says that there will be numerous updates, and the team is aware there may be bugs or other anomalies in this release. You can buy it now €35.99 from SIMMARKET. Features Specific Prepar3D v6 integration, in both volumetric clouds mode and legacy non-volumetric clouds mode Live, Custom, and Historical weather with playback, with historical data available hourly for the past 2+ years Comprehensive weather data including surface observations (METARs), surface forecasts (TAFs), detailed global aloft air model data (GFS), significant and hazardous weather information (Sigmet/Airmet), tropical storms/hurricanes and more Mapping, Planning, Briefing, Scenarios and Weather Searching Voice features including ATIS, Flight Watch and full voice briefings Mobile companion app for weather display and control through any device Advanced radar and precipitation, cloud detection, motion effect, in-cloud visibility reduction and advanced radar API and ASCA cloud structure/texture integration available in legacy (non-volumetric) clouds mode XGauge weather display gauge with advanced airborne radar simulation mode (when using legacy clouds) Advanced wind control, effects and smoothing with high frequency air effect force actuation and organic feel Includes the most advanced version of our award-winning core weather engine and weather data services, being refined now for nearly 25 years Advanced networking support without the need for SimConnect network configuration New P3D add-on folder specification with everything installed outside of the P3D folders Comprehensive API available for 3rd party developers to fully integrate with ASP6
In an announcement shared via their Facebook page, SimWorks Studios (SWS) reports that the exterior model of their upcoming PC-12/47 is now complete, marking a major milestone in the process. Next up, the team is moving on to the interior with the aim of having the cockpit wrapped up by next weekend. But, perhaps even bigger news for those eagerly anticipating the release of the PC-12 is that SWS provided detailed insight into the development roadmap. This relatively rare glimpse of transparency gives quite a bit of insight into how things are progressing and what is left for the team to tackle. PC-12 Public Development Roadmap Unveiled In the text of their status update, SWS posted a publically-viewable link to the development roadmap for the PC-12 accessible via a Trello board. Trello boards are frequently used by software development teams to manage projects, outline workflow, and keep track of tasks. The PC-12 public development roadmap can be viewed here. Reviewing the development roadmap, we learn that there are still several areas of focus for the dev team as SWS works toward release. These areas include avionics, interior animations, de-icing simulation, and flight modeling. The flight controls section appears to be in the home stretch with just stick pusher operation and fine-tuning of the aileron-rudder interconnect system left to resolve. As noted in the Facebook post, the avionics section contains the next major area of focus - and in the roadmap, we can see what exactly is left for the team to tackle. Specifically, this list includes adding functionality to the EHSI as well as completing the Thommen chronograph, and KAS-297B altitude/VSI selector. The aircraft’s amp and voltage meters as well as the cabin temperature indicator also remain for the team to complete. The engine simulation section is marked as complete with an improved engine simulation including custom fuel control unit (FCU) simulation, improved power control lever (PCL) operation, engine component wear, improved ITT simulation, and more to come in an expansion pack further down the road. This expansion pack will also include failure simulation of electrical, pressurization, hydraulic, pneumatic, and instrument system failures on a scheduled or mean time between failure (MTBF) basis depending on component aging and wear. The roadmap also details a free upgrade that SWS are considering for the PC-12. These include functionality updates to the Bendix King EFS 50 EFIS and KMD 550 MFD to possibly include map mode and weather RADAR operation. Additionally, we are able to learn quite a bit about the planned features of the SWS Tablet. From the looks of the roadmap, this update will add the ability to set aircraft loading, add fuel and payload, as well as determine the aircraft’s CG all via the tablet interface. Exterior animation control including setting covers and chocks as well as maintenance tracking is also planned for the tablet interface. Finally, the SWS Tablet will feature a link to a PDF version of the aircraft manual as well as an integrated map and the possibility of adding integrated charting capabilities. Also of note, in a recent development preview, SWS mentioned that the PC-12’s codebase will be inherited by their upcoming TBM-series and Kodiak 900, so be on the lookout for some of these roadmap features to make their way into those aircraft in the future.
Prepar3D v6 was announced during FlightSimExpo 2023 to the delight of many in the room at the time. The new trailer and details that followed gave us a bit of information on what to expect from the newest version of the long-running flight simulation platform. A few days ago, it was released to the public and simmers have been able to test out the new features for themselves. During the event, we had the chance to speak to members of the Lockheed Martin team who worked on the product. Those people are Chris Metel, Rob McCarthy, and Kyle Tauzer. In the interview, we spoke to them about the new features (weather implementation, in particular), how third-party developers can use Prepar3D and information on performance. FSElite: Starting off with some of the new features that will be coming with Prepar3D V6 could you go into a little bit more depth about some of the more technical aspects? That’d be really cool to hear. My name’s Chris Metel, I’m the product owner of Prepar3D. I am here in Houston, so I’ll stop by and look for you this afternoon when I’m at the site over there and we could meet each other as well. Looking at the features. You saw kind of our high-level features of what we were looking at and we kind of grouped them up into four categories. A lot of them was on our lighting and shadows, reflections, those kind of items, atmospherics and weather. Content with a focus on the airport side of things. And then we improved our process, or streamlined our process the way updates are done within the software. We’ve introduced more advanced rendering techniques, where we’re using planer reflections, screen space, ambient occlusion, TAA. We’re kind of looking at a lot of items that are going to give us the opportunity to produce better visuals even with the same content. And then on the atmospheric side of things, we previously had True Sky and we ran into limitations using that product in version five. We got to a position where we couldn’t tweak it and we couldn’t make the changes necessary that our users expected. So what we did is, we implemented our own atmospherics internally, based on some unreal algorithms that we were able to utilize. And with that we were able to introduce a better atmospheric model, but with the addition of other weather items such as precipitation accumulation. So we have cooling and evaporation, our clouds are now dynamically lit, which includes lightning strikes. And one item that’s also kind of cool is, our weather is now based on weather stations. You configure it on a particular weather station, so as you transition from one location to another, you’ll experience changing weather. And we blend those different weather stations together, so you start with clear skies and you transition to maybe partly cloudy and you reach a storm. So you create an environment where if you’re training across a long distance, you’re able to experience a change in dynamic weather that you’ll typically see in a real environment. And then on the content side of things, really our focus has been on the airports and around the airports. And primarily the reason behind this is that’s typically where training most often occurs closest to the ground in those areas. So what the users will quickly notice is all of the lighting models, and objects around the airports have been updated. New textures and new models are much more appropriate to what a realistic environment would look like. And then finally on the streamlined update process, there was a focus on. In the past where the users had to download a large file, lots of bandwidth, lots of time and a tedious install process, so we wanted to eliminate that. And so now we introduced a process where the users are getting notifications from the application that an update is available and that update only includes the files that are required to update, so we could be updated in a few megabytes to make a quick change to the users. So in the past, we had to wait a greater t...
Separated from their original design studio, Supercritical Simulations Group (SSG), Flight Procedures Simulations (FPS) has brought their Embraer E195 to X-Plane 12 with an extensive upgrade to the aircraft systems, visuals and sounds. The E195 is manufactured by the Brazilian aerospace company, Embraer. It is the largest model in Embraer’s E-Jet family, which is designed for regional and medium-range flights and operated around the globe by airlines such as Aurigny, TAP Express, LOT Polish Airlines and its biggest operator, Azul Brazilian Airlines. Over 170 aircraft have been ordered and shipped to date. Flight Procedures Simulations has upgraded their original E-jets Evolution series aircraft to be fully compatible with X-Plane 12 along with a plethora of additional features to enhance the original release under the SSG brand. The team has revamped the model to include more real-world features than before such as antennas, drains and vents, animations to doors, wing flex, landing gear and internal components such as enhanced PBR lighting in the cockpit and cabin and further detailed overhead, pedestal and forward panels. The systems of the E195 have also seen significant improvements such as an overhauled Fly By Wire system, FMS, Advanced Advisory System with over 100 messages, and Hydraulic, electrical and bleed air system logic improvements to name a few. The update also brings an integrated tablet with optional functionality from AviTab, the EFB allows pilots to initialise the aircraft with three states, operate ground vehicles such as GPU, and pushback truck as well as the doors and loadout of the aircraft along with settings, preferences and autosave features. If you have previously owned the SSG E195 for X-plane 11, you can receive a 20% discount on the $55 aircraft by using the code found in your original invoice when purchasing the FPS version for X-Plan 12. For those who have not previously owned the aircraft, you can pick the FPS Embraer E195 for $55/£43/€50 from the X-Plane Store.
Following the announcement earlier this week, Orbx has released Sacramento Airport (KSMF) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The airport has been developed by Orbx indie partner Matteo Veneziani. Matteo has previously developed airports such as Hollywood Burbank, Skiathos and Olbia. Sacramento International Airport (KSMF) serves the city of Sacramento, California. It serves mostly domestic airlines with destinations across the United States. There is also a small number of international airlines that operate at the airport, with destinations in Mexico and Canada. Matteo has recreated Sacramento Airport in high detail, with high detail modelling and high quality textures. It includes animated jetways that come with sound and basic terminal interiors. On the apron a lot of custom airport clutter and GSE can be found, making the experience of the scenery more authentic. The scenery also includes an animated train as a nice little detail, taking your passengers from and to the terminal. You can buy Sacramento International Airport for MSFS from Orbx now for $29.99 AUD. Key Features Detailed ground markings and textures Animated jetways with sounds Dynamic airport lighting Custom airport clutter, GSE and taxiway signs Animated train Basic terminal interiors Orthoimagery of the airport area
The tiny regional airport of Tucuruí (ICAO: STBU), in the northern Brazilian state of Pará, has come to Microsoft Flight Simulator. Created by Brazilian scenery developers OneHundred, who were established in 2022 and have released their first scenery for MSFS via iniBuilds, the airport features a 2000m long runway and welcomes a single route to Belem, operated by Azul Conecta. The airfield features a modestly sized parking apron, a recently redesigned passenger terminal and new layout. OneHundred’s scenery features 3D modelled Objects, high detailed textures, realistic ground layout and PBR Textures on all 3D models. You can purchase a copy of OneHundred’s Tucuruí for MSFS at the iniBuilds Store for £6.80.
Scenery developer Roman Design has released Victorial International Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Victoria Intl Airport (CYYJ) is located around22 kilometers north of Victoria, Canada, it serves as the main airport for the Greater Victoria region on Vancouver Island. it’s the 11th busiest airport in Canada and serves airlines such as Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, WestJet, and Pacific Coastal Airlines. It has also plenty of cargo and general aviation operations. Many immersion-enhancing buildings and features in the area were recreated - such as the BC Aviation Museum, highway signs and advertising billboards, streetlights and much more. Product Page The feature list is pretty comprehensive from Roman Design. There are 50 hand-crafted airport buildings, many of which have interior modelling, passengers and tinted windows for a realistic effect. Victoria Flying Club has been fully modelled, along with 6 open hangars that all have parking spots. Custom work has been done on the runways, the taxiways and the signage in and around the airport. All of this has been done to create an authentic look for the Canadian airport. You will also be able to spot hundreds of objects scattered around the airport, along with animated flags and local advertisement signs. Right now, Roman Design’s Victoria International Airport is available through their website. It will also be coming to OrbxDirect and the in-sim Marketplace soon. It is available now to buy for $23.99 USD. Features Custom high-resolution PBR materials Over 50 hand-crafted airport buildings meticulously modelled for full immersion Terminal building with interior modelling, tinted windows, and passengers throughout the terminal ATC Tower with interior modelling 6 Open hangars with interior modelling and starting spots. Interior hangar starts are designated the first numbers of the respective parking area: E Parking 1,2; SE Parking 1,2,3; SW Parking 1 Victoria Flying Club - detailed interior modelling, static aircraft and multiple starts. Accurate apron markings and detailed area modelling Handcrafted Runways with custom authentic striped markings, detailed textures and true-to-life (and charts) lighting - they now look like a Canadian runway should look Custom taxiways with filly authentic custom ground markings true to life and charts Custom taxiway night lighting Custom taxiway signs and markings - taxi in confidence Custom aprons with authentic hand-made ground markings and wear and tear Custom runway approach lighting true to life and charts Parallax windows on all buildings with reflective glass and night lighting, based on custom 3D room interior renderings Multiple signs with emulated fluorescent night backlighting, 3D modelled letter-shaped signs, and other custom signage throughout the airport Custom night lighting throughout the airport and area, including hangar exterior and interior lights Hundreds of objects placed throughout the scenery to create an immersive experience Animated flags that respond to wind direction Two flashing beacons with their buildings are placed on top of surrounding hills as shown on the charts for visual navigation Fixed numerous MSFS elevation bugs (elevated lakes) around the airport area
After years of development, Just Flight has confirmed the release date and price for the Fokker F28 Professional for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Just Flight has taken to Facebook to confirm that after an extensive development period, the Fokker F28 will finally release for Microsoft Flight Simulator next Wednesday, 12th July 2023. They confirmed that between now and then, expect to see streamers content creators share their thoughts on the long-awaited aircraft. Our friend twotonemurphy has already shared an extensive hands-on session with the plane, which you can watch below. As for pricing, Just Flight confirmed via British AvGeek’s stream that the Fokker F28 Professional will cost €64,95 / $69.99 USD / £52.49. Just Flight said on Facebook, “As with the 146 Professional planes of this age are complex old beasts and require a lot of in-depth research, coding, testing and tweaking so we thank you all for your patience, be prepared for another vintage aircraft right out of the top drawer in all departments. There will be tutorials available, a massive manual and oodles of options.” You can check out a range of new previews below. If you want to dig deep into learning the vintage airliner, then you can check out the documentation, which Just Flight has already released. Head over to their product page to grab the link to the operations manual and the EFB manual. If you want to learn more about the Fokker F28 Professional, check out our recent interview with Just Flight. Thanks to ronald.1302 for the tip.
FS2Crew has released a new edition of their popular mutli-crew utility tool on Microsoft Flight Simulator. The new PMDG 737 SOP 2 Edition is an all-new product based on Ryanair (European ultra low-cost carrier). According to FS2Crew, this new version is more hands-on for the pilot-flying, as opposed to the first SOP edition which was the opposite. SOP 2 will see the user be more interactive in the cockpit when it comes to flipping switches and other actions during the flight. Over 13,000 new sound files were created specifically for this product. The product contains voice, button and auto controls so you can interact with the virtual co-pilot in any way you wish. There are also purser can cabin announcements included with FS2Crew’s PMDG 737 SOP 2 Edtion. You can see it in action in the video above. You don’t need to own the original version in order to download or use SOP 2. From what we can see, there is no discount for previous owners of the original. But if you wish to buy SOP 2 Edition, you can do so from the FS2Crew website for €24.95. Features Direct integration into the MSFS on screen Toolbar via the FS2CREW COMMAND CENTER Mobile device networking support On screen helper panels makes learning the software a breeze: All information needed to fly is now directly displayed on screen via the new INFORMATION CENTER, CHECKLIST ASSIST, FLOWS ASSIST and COMMAND ASSIST PANELS. PUSH TO TALK KEY option New AUDIO system Updated speech recognition system for better results and improved recognition MANUAL FLOW SELECTOR panel allows users to manually trigger FO flows Program is now an .exe that runs outside of MSFS. NO MORE PANEL.CFG EDITS Ability to MIX FLIGHT CREW ACCENTS (example, you can pair a British FO with a German Captain) New VISUAL STATUS DISPLAY INDICATOR New optional interface method: AUTO RESPOND Button control actions now accessible via easy DROP DOWN MENU INTERFACE Users can access and manually change sound files And more!
A new update for Leonardo Softhouse’s Fly the Maddog X on Microsoft Flight Simulator has been released. The new update primarily focuses on fixes, but a new feature is an all-new head up flight display system (HFDS). The number of fixes for the aircraft are also pretty extensive, many of which were initially reported by the community. Issues with the EFB such as the service app now showing correct fuel loads have been fixed, along with an issue on the performance pages. Furthermore, a few texture artifacts have also been fixed. As mentioned, there is now a new optional Head up Flight Display System (HFDS). There is also accompanying documentation to help get familiar with the new feature in the MD-82 series of aircraft. The new builds are applicable to the -82, and - 83/-88 packages released by Leonardo Softhouse. You will need to download the installer from SIMMARKET again and rerun it in order to install the new updates. You can pick up the base pack from SIMMARKET for €75.00 if you haven’t already done so. CHANGELOG - 1.2b169 - 07/07/2023 FIXED- fixed issue in EFB Services App not showing correctly aux fuel qty for the MD-83;- fixed issue with initial cabin supply temp;- fixed issues with GSX boarding on second+ consecutive flight;- fixed issue in EFB Perf APP not taking into account pilot entered QNH;- fixed issue in FMS turning too early (or too late) in RNAV approaches;- fixed issue in holding direct entry with certain intercept angles;- fixed issue with CPDLC removing answer prompts (WILCO, UNABLE, etc.);- fixed issue in FMS which caused certain departure transition to be loaded uncorrectly;- fixed issue in EFB perf app with Force Norm TO SWITCH remaining visible in landing page;- fixed issue with PFD 2 going OFF when PFD 1 dimmed to OFF and option Synch CM1/CM2 disabled;- fixed issue in FMS CRZ page with missing W/MOD data;- fixed brake temperature remaining high in turnaround mode;- fixed artifact in texture of air conditioning gauges;- fixed missing sound when manually tripping CBs;NEW- added optional Head Up Flight Display System (HFDS), and documentation;OTHER- added throttle axis calibration in Load Manager;- when a MSFS flight is initalized ‘in the air’, the maddog will now be configured correctly for level flying with engines, AT and AP ON;- revised FMS step climb logic and manual step climb enquire in CRZ page. FIXED- fixed issue in EFB Services App not showing correctly aux fuel qty for the MD-83;- fixed issue with initial cabin supply temp;- fixed issues with GSX boarding on second+ consecutive flight;- fixed issue in EFB Perf APP not taking into account pilot entered QNH;- fixed issue in FMS turning too early (or too late) in RNAV approaches;- fixed issue in holding direct entry with certain intercept angles;- fixed issue with CPDLC removing answer prompts (WILCO, UNABLE, etc.);- fixed issue in FMS which caused certain departure transition to be loaded uncorrectly;- fixed issue in EFB perf app with Force Norm TO SWITCH remaining visible in landing page;- fixed issue with PFD 2 going OFF when PFD 1 dimmed to OFF and option Synch CM1/CM2 disabled;- fixed issue in FMS CRZ page with missing W/MOD data;- fixed brake temperature remaining high in turnaround mode;- fixed artifact in texture of air conditioning gauges;- fixed missing sound when manually tripping CBs;NEW- added optional Head Up Flight Display System (HFDS), and documentation;OTHER- added throttle axis calibration in Load Manager;- when a MSFS flight is initalized ‘in the air’, the maddog will now be configured correctly for level flying with engines, AT and AP ON;- revised FMS step climb logic and manual step climb enquire in CRZ page.
Developer PKSim has released Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Situated in he archipelago of San Andrés, it is the 6th biggest airport in Colombia. LATAM Airliens, Copa Airlines, and Avianca all take passengers and cargo back to the mainland. The airport comes with detailed models, ground textures, handmade textures and numerous animations. Alongside that, there is a GSX profile included with real walk-in-paths. The developers did want customers to note that the jetways at the real airport do not work. You can buy your own copy from SIMMARKET for €18.50. If you owned the Prepar3D version, you can get 20% discount. Features San Andres and providencia airports included (SKSP-SKPV) Airport detailed models. Custom ground textures. Custom handmade textures. Various animations included. Various environment models around the airport. GSX included with the real Walk-In paths.
Digital Flight Dynamics’ latest episode on the progress of the A350X shows off the development of the internal modelling of the cockpit, cabin, and exterior as well as some of the progress made on the avionics side. The cockpit is still very much a work-in-progress with sections, textures, and details still under development. However, the cabin modelling appears to be further along with incredible detail for the various class options that will be available. The exterior of the airplane is coming along nicely, with a high level of detail on the landing gear, wonderful nose shape of the A350, tail section of the aircraft, and of course the engines. Progress is also being made on the avionics. The team presented the ECAM which displays critical information on the engines, APU, oxygen, hydraulics, etc. The MFD was also shown, with the FMS functionality demonstrated. They noted that actual flight plans can’t yet be created as they are waiting on FMS V2 from FlyByWire first. Finally, they presented the Onboard Information System (OIS) which will allow users to view charts, calculate takeoff performance data, and more. Stay tuned to FSElite for future updates on the development of the Digital Flight Dynamics A350X. Until then, check out the full 30 minute video below:
A new company has appeared on the scene with a product that is aimed at a more casual audience. VA Schedules by DARKOCEAN has released two new packs that allow simmers in Microsoft Flight Simulator to take part in historical routes for various airlines. The first two packs released are for Virgin Atlantic 747-400 routes and Lufthansa. Both packs contains dozens of routings that are from the schedule packs that VA Schedules provide to virtual airlines. This tool is useful for those looking to fly historial routes without the need to research route parings or generate their own flight plan. Each pack also features liveries for the aircraft. The routes are pre-programmed, taking the hassle out of flight planning, while the fuel calculations are already taken care of. This means you can jump straight into the action, saving time and allowing you to focus on what you love most - flying. Product Page This is a product set clearly designed for the more casual audience and may not resonate with every flight simmer out there. However, when we spoke to the team at VA Schedules during FlightSimExpo 2023, they said that they have more products to come in the future which will appeal to the more hardcore flight simmer. VA Schedules as a company has a database of over 500 airlines, generating over 8 million schedules in their database. They are looking to see how they can bring this data to customers in various methods. For now, if you wish to check out their Virgin Atlantic or Lufthansa packs, you can find them over on SIMMARKET for €10.99.
UK2000 Scenery remains content on working on USA airports, and their latest is now available. Henderson Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator comes with UK2000 Scenery’s usual feature set. Henderson Executive Airport (KHND) is a general aviation airport located in Henderson, USA. It is used primarily as an altnertaive for those heading to Las Vegas in private or corporate transport, as well as a great location for general aviation flying. UK2000 Scenery has included all the buildings for the airport, realistic ground markings, hi res ground imagery, along with fencing and vegetation. The airport developer also says that the product has good frames for a smooth experience. You can buy Henderson Executive Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator from their store for £13.99. Features Detail Buildings Realistic Ground Markings Hi Res ground image Stunning Night Effects High details Airport Vehicles Good Frame Rates Full set of signs Fencing Vegetation PBR Materials Optional Static aircraft Internal FBO details
Taxi2Gate released their Orlando International Airport (KMCO) at the end of May, but at the time, it was not functional with photogrammetry turned on. The latest update released by the company has fixed this issue. The team has said that the fixes in the update now ensure that users can have photogrammetry turned on and the airport will blend in seamlessly with the surroundings. Furthermore, there has been some general improvements for the airport product. This includes improvements to terminal c, removed some default buildings and also fixed some issues with trees around the train rails. A new JetBlue University building was also added as part of the update. Orlando Intl Airport sees plenty of traffic, with over 50 million passengers going through its doors back in 2019. Airlines domestically and internationally bring visitors to the airport, no doubt to visit some of the nearby attractions. If you are wanting to pick up Orlando Intl Airport for MSFS, you can do so from SIMMARKET for €23.99. Users who owned the Prepar3D version can upgrade for €21.99. Changelog Compatibility with Photogrammetry Improvements on terminal C Add more details on construction site at terminal C Imporvements on main passenger arrivals building Green light at control tower Some auxiliary lines at Airside 4 Remove default asobo buildings Lines at parking on rental site Add some cars at main parking Light poles around airport Remove trees around train rails Lines for stands 238-245 at terminal C Add b52 at memorial park Add jetblue university buildings
One of the bigger surprises for me at FSExpo was Aerosoft. The company came to the show with a moderately sized booth and a small team, and I noticed little in terms of advertising about what they were planning on bringing to the show. So you can imagine my surprise when I went over to their booth and not only found a brand new unannounced airport (Frankfurt), but also a working and flying Airbus A330. It’s not a surprise that Aerosoft is getting closer to releasing this plane, and I’ll talk more about that later on in this article. Over the last months we’ve gone from previews of the cockpit and exterior of the plane to an internal release for beta testers, which also resulted in a number of previews - though exclusively of the exterior. At FSExpo, however, Aerosoft was not shy about showing every part of the aircraft, from interior to exterior. They even allowed you to get up close with it through a hands-on setup at their booth. Before diving into the plane, the team told me that this was a build that was two months old and therefore not everything was working yet. Having that said, when I tried out the plane it did feel quite complete. With some help, because I don’t really fly Airbuses in MSFS, I was able to set the A330 in take-off config, spool up the engines and get her flying. The taxi mechanics during my take-off roll worked quite nicely; she wasn’t overly jittery and wanted to go relatively straight with minimal input from me. The second I lifted my nose-gear, the plane felt heavy - like it should. I hand-flew the plane around for a little while, up to 5000 feet or so, while making a few slow turns. The plane felt heavy, but still responsive, which to me felt quite accurate and realistic. Once I enabled the autopilot (again with a little help, because I did not remember the difference between managed and selected mode), the plane followed the autopilot nearly perfectly. The speed restriction was followed, as was my heading. Overall the AP systems seemed to work quite well, although I did not test every feature here. With the autopilot enabled, I took a little moment to look around the cockpit. Aerosoft claims that this plane has been built from the ground up and that it’s not just a simple port of the Prepar3D version. I’ve never tried the latter so I can’t verify this claim, but I don’t have reason to doubt their statement. The interior modelling and textures honestly looked really good. The modelling looked of high quality and the interior and all its knobs, buttons and other objects in it looked refined. The textures, which were set to Ultra, looked incredibly sharp and highly detailed. One of the nice extras that I got to play around with was the EFB. Aerosoft’s A330 comes with a fully functional EFB that interacts with the plane. You can set the plane’s payload through a handy interface with sliders for passenger numbers. You can also calculate performances via the tablet and see performance tables. The EFB worked smoothly and looked good, and I commend Aerosoft for including one. One of the points of feedback that we’re seeing a lot when it comes to this plane is the lack of failures. Aerosoft maintains a philosophy that they want to implement the plane from the left-hand seat, similar to how the pilot would fly it. So I doubt we’ll ever see failures for this aircraft, although I am personally okay with that. However, in my short little flight putting the plane through its paces, I did notice that when you take the aircraft out of its comfort zone - which in my case meant over-speeding - the plane will throw some errors and alarms at you, including an ECAM message. Although these are probably not the failures some of you might be looking for, I was happy to see that the plane still responds when you take it out of its normal situation. From what I was told by the team, more of these situations have been included where the plane will warn you about wrong configs or other mishaps. All in all, I was quite impr...
In an update shared across their social media platforms, SimWorks Studios heads straight to the chase and previews a single render of their upcoming Daher Kodiak 900. The aircraft was announced earlier this year and has been worked on ever since, it now has a completed exterior model and an almost finished interior. SimWorks Studios mentioned that the very high commonality between the Kodiak 100 and 900 models allows them to spend very little time setting up and testing the new aircraft. The code base from the Kodiak 100 means that more time will be spent on refining and improving the 900 instead of starting from scratch, and with an improved 3D model, means better looks and performance. Next up, SimWorks Studios announces the TBM series for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Earlier this year in January they signed a license with aircraft manufacturer Daher, which has allowed them to create the TBM850, 910 and 960 for MSFS. Works will begin on the aircraft as early as August but the release is still a long way off yet, they did however mention that the upside is that the avionics will almost be ready. The EFIS40 of the TBM850 shares similarities to what is used on the PC-12, whilst the G1000 and G3000 have matured and support a plugin system which will help them create an authentic avionics package. SimWorks Studios also mentioned that the TBMs will inherit the codebase of the Kodiak’s and PC12 so most of the groundwork will be done in advance, but they will improve upon whatever the previous aircraft offer. Be sure to stay tuned to FSElite for more updates.
Over on Facebook, developer Aeroplane Heaven has given a brief update on their upcoming Avro Lancaster for MSFS. It’s been a while since we last heard something from them on this project, with the latest previews dating back to November of last year. The latest update on the aircraft states that work is commencing on the cookout materials and textures. The flight model coding has also finally started, something that might come as a bit of a surprise given how “complete” the plane already looked when we last saw it. The team also teased some further expansions to the aircraft, such as a Mk.I and Mk.III, but only if time allows. Aeroplane Heaven also mentioned “extra functionality”, but did not provide any further clarification on this. We recently learned that Aeroplane Heaven’s other project was the Boeing 307 Stratoliner for MSFS. This product has been released as a MSFS Local Legend, and is available right now through the MSFS Marketplace.
The release of Prepar3D v6 happened just a few days ago and many in the community have been left wondering what this means for the future of their products in the platform. We had already heard from FlightSimLabs regarding their status, but others in the industry have now confirmed what their plans are. On the whole, it’s not looking good. Let’s start with the positives. FSDreamTeam has confirmed that they have already released installers to support Prepar3D v6 for GSX, GSX Level 2 and also their airport range. They did caveat with this by saying their airports may have some visual issues, but on the whole they seem to be working just as they did before. One important note is that the installer for SODE doesn’t currently support v6, but that the freeware for adding jetways does indeed work. You will just need to manually add it. Instructions over on the forums. The other good news is that on the whole, airport products seemingly work fine in the new sim. You may need to do some trickery to get the installer to point to the new simulator, but you should be good to go with most of your airport collection. Of course, developers may not officially support it (or help with tech issues), but the consensus across forums and Discord servers seem to indicate airports will function as before, with some minor visual issues. What is important to note is that airport products which use libraries or other middleware software may not work as they are not compatible with v6. In terms of aircraft, the only one so far that seemingly will be updated for Prepar3D v6 any time soon is Majestic Software’s MJC8 Q400. On their product page, it lists that the 64-bit edition of the plane is compatible with v6 via their installer. As of right now, that’s where the good news ends. PMDG, A2A Simulations, Parallel 42, and Aerosoft are among those that have said that Prepar3D v6 is just not a priority for them right now. PMDG said, “With all of our development resources focused on bringing our airliner simulations into Microsoft Flight Simulator, we are not currently planning to update any of our P3D products for compatibility with P3Dv6” They tried to drag-and-drop their products into v6, but did not get great results. They likely won’t evaluate the extensive work until after the release of the 747-400 for Microsoft Flight Simulator - which could be a while away considering we have yet to see any previews of the 777 in the platform yet. Parallel 42 was also quick to dismiss any future support for Prepar3D as a whole. “There are no plans to develop for P3D v6. v5 dev halted,” their social platforms said. That means no ChasePlane and no visual effect programs. Similarly, A2A said the same thing by confirming their focus is on Accu-Sim 2.0 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. They said customers are able to freely move their products into the simulator, but there is no guarantee things will work well or even at all. “We know some will find this disappointing, but we simply don’t have the manpower at present to adapt our existing library for Prepar3D v6.” “At this moment all our internal development for Preper3D is halted,” Aerosoft has commented. HiFiSimTech, the developers behind Active Sky have said that their current version of ASP3D is not planned to be compatible with V6. On their forums, Damian said that their product plans, features, schedules and pricing is yet to be finalised and they intend on delivering information as soon as they can. At least this isn’t ruling out working on the platform completely! The general theme within the flight simulation community is that third-party developers are putting their efforts onto other platforms. We’ll update this post should any other key players or important information come to light. If you’re interested in learning more about Prepar3D v6 and its new features, check out the release post.
People come and go from roles within companies all the time, but there are a few names in flight simulation that are as well known as Mathijs Kok. One of the longest-serving members of Aerosoft, he has led multiple projects over the years, overseeing releases such as the Airbus series and the CRJ series on several platforms. On the Aerosoft forums, after some rumours circulated he was to leave Aerosoft, he confirmed that this is indeed the case. “After more than 20 years, it felt like Aerosoft and I have grown apart and that it was time to leave,” Kok said on the forums. He continued by adding that there are still companies and people interested in his expertise and experience and that we should be meeting him again. It’s not sure if he means it will be within flight simulation or in another manner. He said, “I was a bit surprised that even though I am old as Methuselah, there were still companies and people interested in my expertise and experience. I will start a new career, and I am very much looking forward to that. We’ll meet again.” Thoughts then turn to his most current project he is managing; the A330 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. He said that he is confident that the project will not be “seriously affected” by this transition and that he will be handing over project management for the A330 shortly. “[I] am confident that the new project manager will take over here to inform you.“ For now, the official preview thread for the aircraft has been locked. Based on our conversations with the teams during FlightSimExpo 2023, the aircraft is intended on releasing this Summer. You can also watch the latest teaser trailer here. We got to try the A330 for MSFS during FlightSimExpo 2023 and we’ll be sharing our hands-on impressions soon. Featured Image from ADX blog. Thanks to Alpha_Mark [EPWA] for the tip.
Known for her presence on Twitch and also her work on the EFB for the Fenix Simulations A320, KatiePilot is back with a brand new product. Called efbPro, the new standalone EFB is a tool that is fully customisable based on real tablets from the real world. Included with the EFB is full SimBrief integration, weather monitoring/visualisation, performance calculations for your favourite aircraft and space to house all your manuals and FCOMs. The most unique of the standalone app is the fact that efbPro will have its own ecosystem that allows you to make the application unique to you. You can also adjust the background and accessibility settings to your liking. The efbPro App Store is where developers can create their own apps to distribute to the community. Whilst efbPro will be free for the community, developers who create apps may charge through the ecosystem. “The function of the efbPro App Store is to enable developers and organisations to create their own apps that people can download and install,” Katie said over on Avsim in response to some user questions. “I initially had VAs in mind, so they can integrate their own systems, much the same as how it is IRL. The idea being that you can customise YOUR efbPro with the apps you want on your device rather than it being a pre-prescribed EFB setup that we’re used to in flight simulation. Trying to drive the EFB market to a more customisable solution and put the user in the driving seat of their simulation experience.” Although best used on a tablet device (like an iPad), it can be used on virtually any device. It is also not sim-dependant, meaning that you can use it for whichever simulator you’re using at the time. The new efbPro has no set launch date just yet, but you can stay up-to-date with progress via the new website. You can also sign up to the newsletter to stay updated with development progress.
FlightSimLabs Releases v213 Update for A320-X and Libraries Flight Sim Labs (FSLabs) has today released v213 update for their A320-X product family and Libraries. The update is only available through the experimental channel of the FSL Control Center. The update fixes several issues reported by customers, including: a number of bug fixes, as well as some performance improvements. The CTR TK FEEDG erroneous FWC messages issue has been fixed. This issue was causing some customers to experience incorrect flight data in their cockpit displays. The Auto Trim issue has also been fixed. This issue was causing the aircraft to trim itself incorrectly in some situations. The CLR button light on the ECP not extinguishing properly issue has also been fixed. This issue was causing the light to remain on even after the CLR button had been pressed. FSLabs Concorde Release Candidate Soon FSLabs also announced that their Concorde aircraft for Prepar3D v5 is in its late beta stages and is expected to be promoted to “Release Candidate” status within the next few days, indicating that the aircraft is nearing completion and is ready for final testing before it is released to the public. The Concorde is an iconic aircraft that was retired from service in 2003. Built between 1965-1979, just 14 examples saw active service with Air France and British Airways. It was the fastest commercial aircraft built to date, with a top speed of Mach 2.02. FSLabs Looks to the Future In addition to the updates for the A320-X and Concorde, FSLabs also gave an update on their plans for the future. They said that their development and innovation efforts have focused on bringing all new versions of the existing product lineup to Microsoft Flight Simulator. With Prepar3D v6 having just been released, FSLabs have so far decided to defer any decision on bringing their aircraft to the simulator until after the current development work has been released.
Only a short while since their last release, BEAUTIFUL MODEL of the WORLD and AmSim have released Colorado Springs Airport (KCOS) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Colorado Springs Airport, also known as the City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, is a public airport located 6 miles southeast of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. It is the second-largest airport in the state of Colorado after Denver International Airport and serves as a major gateway to the Pikes Peak region and the southern Rocky Mountains. Colorado Springs also shares its airfield with the Peterson Space Force Base, which is located on the north side of the airport. At present Colorado Springs has around 16 destinations across the United States with the longest route to and from Colorado being Atlanta, at 734 miles non-stop operated by a Delta Airlines Boeing 737-800. BMWorld and AmSim’s rendition includes detailed terminals and surrounding buildings, terminal interiors, high-resolution texturing, custom jetways, parallax windows, custom night lighting, and airline parking codes for every gate and is fully compatible with AI traffic add-ons such as FSLTL. You can purchase Colorado Springs Airport (KCOS) for Microsoft Flight Simulator from Orbx Direct for $25.00 AUD (approximately US$16.74 | €15,36 | £13.16). Features Correct airport slope Animated Jetway Custom ground markings High-resolution custom ground textures, dirt and other details Surrounding buildings fully modelled Detailed terminal interior Airlines codes are assigned to each parking Fully compatible with FSLTL traffic
Freeware creator Kurorin’s freeware Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has received a major update, being dubbed ‘V2’ over on the product’s page at flightsim.to The update takes advantage of some of the huge changes that were introduced to Microsoft Flight Simulator’s Boeing 787-10 which is included in the base game for owners of the Premium Deluxe Edition of the simulator. That most recent update, dubbed ‘AAU2’ (aircraft and avionics update 2) saw a team of developers at Working Title (who are working in partnership with Microsoft) go in and overhaul the default avionics included with the base game’s Boeing 747-8 and 787-10 aircraft, adding a whole host of new system complexity, functionality, and procedural compatibility. The update has proven popular with users of Microsoft Flight Simulator since it dropped about 10 days ago, and Kuro’s 787 mod has also seen an upsurge in popularity as a result. The V2 mod completely removes the requirement for the Heavy Division mod, which was previously needed to run some of the more complex systems. The Boeing 787-8 is a more popular variant of the long hauler than the 787-10 and is operated by a wide range of carriers across multiple continents including TUI Airways, Qatar Airways, Air India, American Airlines, Kenya Airways, Japan Airlines and Air Canada. However, the most popular variant of the Dreamliner in the real world is the -9, and at present it appears nobody is working on that aircraft (at least not publicly). The developer Kurorin has also continually updated a rolling FAQ page which addresses concerns and problems which users have run into, as well as a SimBrief page so that users wishing to generate accurate flight plans can properly calculate fuel burn, payload and other flight critical values. The updated Kurorin Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner can be downloaded here.
Lockheed Martin has released Prepar3D v6. Following the announcement made during FlightSimExpo 2023, the latest in the long-line of flight simulators from the company has now been made available for all to buy. Prepar3D is Lockheed Martin’s flagship simulation and training platform. Version 6 of the beloved simulator expands on previous versions before it by adding an impressive list of new features. Lighting has seen an overhaul with the new version, making environments come across more realistic than ever before. In addition to the lighting, the atmospheric effects have been vastly improved, along with adding all-new reactive environments, too. Airports have also seen a renewed focus from the development team, with higher detail models, surfaces and objects – all in response to feedback. Cities and other landscapes have also been improved over past versions. “The transformation of our Prepar3D software highlights continued development and evolution,” said Jonathon Wells, vice president of Lockheed Martin Air and Commercial Solutions. “Prepar3D furthers Lockheed Martin’s commitment to bring upgraded capabilities and features for next-generation training solutions.” In an effort to ensure that the langauge is as accessible as possible, the licensing defintion has been altered slightly. With Prepar3D v6, the Academic license has been replaced with the the introduction of a new Personal license. The Personal license will be available to anyone who wants to use Prepar3D for personal use, regardless of whether they are a student or not. You can buy Prepar3D v6 directly from their website. The Personal license costs $59.95, with the professional version costing $350. There are also other options available, depending on the required license your use case needs. The full list of new features and changes between the versions is down below. FSElite will have an exclusive interview with the Lockheed Martin very soon. New Features Updated volumetric clouds and atmospherics system improving visuals, performance, and support for multiple weather stations. Updated physically based and HDR lighting system supporting greater dynamic range, bounce lighting, and improved lighting visuals. Overhauled update process including automatic update notifications and installation as well as update patch support. Updating Prepar3D v6 will no longer require any components to be uninstalled before updating. New graphics features including: Improved edge blending with temporal antialiasing (TAA). Improved shadow detail with screen space ambient occlusion (SSAO). Support for planar reflections on wet surfaces. Cameras now support physical properties including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings. Enhanced Flight Planner screen supporting the addition of SIDS and STARS to flight plans. Precipitation accumulation and evaporation is now supported. Custom weather themes can now be saved and loaded in the Weather Settings UI. Improved layout of cloud settings in Weather Settings UI. ISimObjects now support loadout changes made in the Payload UI. SimDirector camera can now rotate around selected objects. Replaced SpeedTree with custom solution supporting wind effects. Improved primitive drawing object visuals including material support. Added pyramid and cone objects. Updated SimDirector UI theme. Added DebriefAction to add debrief messages to scenarios. Added debrief and goals display to Flight Analysis screen. Scenario debrief information can also be saved to a file. Added precipitation pooling and ripple effects. Clouds support dynamic lighting including light from lightning strikes. Added custom tone mapping option to fine tune light and dark areas of scene. Added views menu option to manually position camera. Previously referred to as Cinematographer mode. New and updated default content including: Updated global airport data and airport backgrounds. Improved land class terrain texture detail. Added precipitation effects to airport surfaces, airport o...
Startup flight sim hardware company miniCockpit have confirmed that development on their second product, the miniEFIS, has commenced following the extraordinary success of their Kickstarter campaign in June. The miniEFIS panel had previously not been assigned a date for the commencement of development, however as part of a stretch goal target the team confirmed on a Facebook post that R&D on the product will now begin as soon as the miniFCU has gone into mass production. The miniFCU was made available on Kickstarter at the beginning of June with the Hong-Kong based team placing a fundraising target of approximately $1200USD. That target was surpassed within seconds as the initial batch of 1000 units being sold for a special launch day price of $100USD sold out entirely. At the time of writing this article, the two-man team at miniCockpit have raised over half a million US dollars from over 4000 backers. All things going to plan, the team are planning to eventually release a total of four products – the miniFCU, miniEFIS, miniECAM and then a final all-in-one solution which will contain the three units bundled together. Earlier this week the miniCockpit team also confirmed on their social media channels that the miniFCU will now be compatible with Mobiflight and SPAD.next on launch. These programs allow the individual functions of a hardware controller to be mapped to practically anything, meaning that you could theoretically use your miniFCU to anything from a Boeing jet to an F-16. The team also previously confirmed that the miniFCU will be compatible with the Fenix Simulations A320 CEO for Microsoft Flight Simulator after receiving a deluge of requests that the two addons be made compatible. Readers who still wish to pick up a miniFCU at a reduced price point can still head over to the team’s Kickstarter page and purchase a unit in one of the remaining pledge tiers that have not sold out. However, be warned that as with all crowdfunding projects, your donation is not necessarily a guarantee that you will receive a final product in the event the company is unable to ship, or runs into solvency issues. We have ordered a miniFCU unit here at FSElite and intend to review it when it is shipped to us. In the meantime, we will keep you updated with the latest news on this exciting new piece of hardware as and when we get it!
Pacific Islands Simulation has released its long-awaited Salt Lake City International Airport (KSLC) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the main airport serving Salt Lake City, Utah, and the surrounding region. It is located about 4 miles west of downtown Salt Lake City. The airport serves as a major transportation hub in the US and serves as a gateway to various national and international destinations. Airlines such as Delta, Southwest, Jetblue, and Fonteir all serve the airport. It’s also a major cargo hub for FedEx, UPS, and DHL. The team has implemented new technology to ensure that the terminals are accurate, with detailed modeling and texturing. There are also the addition of custom animated jetways, hand-placed autogen and also plenty of wear and tear in various places across the airport. Therer is also a VDGS safedock on all gates where applicable. You can buy it from the Pacific Island Sim website for $25.99 USD. Features Latest Sim Update (SU12) tested product; Accurate Terminal, Concourses, Hangars, Towers, Freight buildings, General Aviation FBOs, and airport layout; Custom Animated Jetways; Sharp PBR Textures (4096×2 and 2048×2) applied to all models; Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS) Safedock Type1 programmed to all gate Concourses; Latest High Resolution (7cm-30cm pixel) orthoimagery replacing MS version (Covers just the airport); Accurate hand-placed autogen (vegetation) that conforms with airport layout; Fully tweaked and optimized since beginning of project for smooth simulation experience; New taxiways between and around concourses Two new overnight parking (RON) areas added to midfield and next to RWY34R; Added grunge work showing tire markings on runways, taxiways and at aprons; .and much more.
Hold up.this is flight simulation right? Well yes, but we’ve seen that Microsoft Flight Simulator has redefined what could end up in this virtual world. Parallel 42 (//42), known for other utilities such as Campout and Stripr has shown off to those at FlightSimExpo 2023 their next entry into unique MSFS products. Introducing the Juice Goose, an electric UTV (Utility Task Vehicle). As Parallel 42 puts it, this is something “designed to easily tackle unlevel photogrammetry tiles, poor roads, and various terrains.” The obvious first question is why Parallel 42 would develop a car rather than perhaps a new aircraft following their FreedomFox/Fox2. We spoke to Edson from Parallel 42 who gave us some answers. “Microsoft recently announced Flight Simulator 2024, a new platform that promises to bring us significantly higher fidelity on the ground. With the resounding success of our Campout Utility, Flow & Stripr, it only makes sense for us to continue delivering unique add-ons that fill a void in the flight simulation community. This particular void pertains to the exploration and celebration of our virtual world not only from the skies but also from the ground.” Normally, Parallel 42 opts to show off products when they’re right around the corner. With FlightSimExpo, the team chose to take a different approach. //42 are always seeking feedback from customers and what better way to give simmers a first glimpse at something different and gather immediate impressions. Edson said, “it was the community’s first glimpse of a highly accurate ground vehicle “flight model,” and attendees were blown away. People walked away with huge smiles, marveling at a new and unique experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator.” He continued, “Rock climbing and general off-roading is all fair game now. Many visitors even expressed their reluctance to put down the controller! ‘It’s the beginning of an open world Off-Road Forza’ was one of my favorite quotes.” It wasn’t just attendees that got the opportunity to try it out. During FlightSimExpo 2023, I had the chance to try out the Juice Goose for a few minutes. To sum up the experience, I could identify that the handling of the car felt natural. It was easy to handle, but also a lot of fun going over the imperfect terrain. The way the wheels react to the ground and how the dust bellows up from the ground was a joy to see. I used an Xbox controller, and it was no different to using it for your typical racing game. Edson commented on some of the intricies of what to expect from the Juice Goose. “I wanted Claude to have a unique challenge in prep for a future release. The Goose is equipped with highly detailed suspension and incredible physics. Every coil contracts and rebounds, rotors spin as you expect, and the tires are beautifully knobby,” So, despite this being in a flight simulator, it felt very much at home and something I can see myself spending a lot of time with, especially with friends. The possibilities it opens up is actually pretty insane – especially if Microsoft Flight Simualtor 2024 has a bigger focus on more detailed ground environments. Imagine races, obstacle course and so forth, both in the ground and in the air. I believe most people will enjoy this by taking on some more imaginative challenges. You could take your Fox out for a spin, land at a strip, make a campsite and then drive around the local area in your new electric vehicle. There is a feeling from the team that this will “unite the community, especially those that enjoy multiplayer!” To close out this short preview of the Juice Goose, Parallel 42 said that this “represents a significant step forward in the flight simulator experience.” Edson continued, “with the ability to explore and celebrate the virtual world from both the sky and the ground, & fans of //42 know they can expect unparalleled immersion.” The elephant in the room is still very much a question of where Chase Plane is. Parallel 42 are no strangers to hearing that qu...
Cameron from Infinite Flight gives us the scoop on what the future of Infinite Flight has and how the increased number of simmers has impacted the mobile flight simulator. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring our videos. Check out their store for great offers.
Thrustmaster are regulars at FlightSimExpo and always supporting the show. This time they announce some brand new hardware that will excite combat fans. Check out what they had to say in this exclusive interview. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring our video interviews. Visit their store for great details.
Known for the scenery products, we speak to MK-Studios about their upcoming Microsoft Flight Simulator projects. Plus, we ask them about Airport Sim as well. Note: This interview was conducted before the news of Málaga Airport, Teases Montréal and Kangerlussuaq. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring our video interviews. Visit their store for great details.
We speak to Ellise about aircraft, scenery and their FlightSimExpo 2023 booth. Check out what the team had to say. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring our video interviews. Visit their store for great details.
Collin from TFDi Design / Invernyx speaks to us about the upcoming MD-11 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. He also speaks about the pre-order information. There are also some hints about what could come next. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring our video interviews. Visit their store for great details.
Following Lockheed Martin’s announcement of Prepard3D v6 at this year’s FSExpo, Lockheed Martin has now released details on the licensing and pricing model. Prepar3D v6 is set to release soon, and with it comes some changes to the software’s licensing options. The most significant change is the removal of the Academic license and the introduction of a new Personal license. The Personal license will be available to anyone who wants to use Prepar3D for personal use, regardless of whether they are a student or not. However, users with a Personal license will be required to maintain internet connectivity while using the software. Business, military, and educational institutions will still need to purchase a Professional or Professional Plus license. The Professional license will cost $350, while the Professional Plus license will cost $2,750. Developer licenses for Prepar3D v6 Professional and Professional Plus will be available for $9.99 and $50 per month, respectively. Previous versions of Prepar3D will be updated to match the new pricing structure when Prepar3D v6 is released. Prepar3D v6 Key Features Lighting and shadows in Prepar3D are more realistic than any previous version around the globe An entirely new atmospheric model that brings unprecedented levels of realism and fidelity A streamlined update process, expected to result in significant time and bandwidth savings An increased focus on airports, including higher detail lighting models, surfaces and objects, in response to user feedback Removed watermark for Personal users With Prepar3D v6 due to release soon, you can learn more about the new software and its features on the Prepar3D website.
We speak all about X-Plane 12 with Thomson Meeks from Laminar Research. We also check out some other products that were on display from the other developers who were part of the large booth this year. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring our video interviews. Visit their store for great details.
VerticalSim has recently announced its next destination, Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. With the announcement coming from their Facebook page, no details other than a few screenshots have been shared. Palm Beach International Airport serves Palm Beach County and is located just west of the city of West Palm Beach, Florida, United States. It is the third busiest airport in the Miami metropolitan area after Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport. The airport sees daily flights from airlines such as Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Stay tuned to FSElite for more updates on this airport as we await more information from VerticalSim.
The Microsoft Flight Simulator Team has released its newest City Update for Microsoft Flight Simulator, this time covering the Lone Star State, Texas. Texas is the second-largest state in the United States, after Alaska. It is located in the South Central region of the country and borders Mexico to the south, Texas is known for its wide-open spaces, beautiful urban landscapes, diverse population, and rich history. This new city update covers the cities of Abilene, Austin, Cedar Park, San Antonio, Schertz, Temple, and Waco. Created using Bing Maps and Vexcel, the aerial imagery was collected and assembled to produce realistic digital photogrammetry renditions of these cities offered in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Simmers can expect to see Austin’s Frost Bank Tower, San Antonio’s renowned Alamo, Waco’s Suspension Bridge and more. City Update 3: Texas is available now to all users for free, to experience this new City Update, ensure your simulator is updated to version 1.33.8.0 and download the update from the MSFS marketplace.
Announced during FlightSimExpo 2023, the next Local Legend is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Microsoft asked the team at Aeroplane Heaven to create this historic aircraft for the simulator and it’s now available for anyone to virtually fly anywhere in the world. The aircraft took its maiden flight on December 31, 1938, and was introduced into regular service on July 4, 1940. Whilst it may be of historical importance, Boeing only ever manufactured a total of 10 Stratoliners. What made this aircraft so special is the fact it was the first aircraft to feature a pressurized cabin, allowing it to reach altitudes of 20,000ft. The Boeing 307 Stratoliner was able to carry 33 passengers and 5 crew. The aircraft required a flight engineer, who was in charge of cabin pressure, power settings, and other components, whilst the two onboard pilots focused on the flying side of things. Aeroplane Heaven has worked to include a vast number of details and features, including high-quality modelling and texture work to bring this local legend to life. Four liveries are included with the plane by default upon purchasing the Stratoliner. You can pick up Local Legend 10: Boeing 307 Stratoliner from the in-sim Marketplace now for $14.99 for both PC and Xbox. The newly released plane joins other releases like City Update III: Texas and the Ford 4-AT Trimotor.
One of the more surprising things we saw during FlightSimExpo 2023 was Aerosoft bringing their long-awaited Airbus A330 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. During our time at the show, a number of us managed to get hands on with the plane. We also got the opportunity to speak to Aerosoft about how the project is going, including an anticipated release. Whilst Aerosoft would not commit to the release itself, they did say they are aiming for a Summer 2023 release. The team are very excited to finally get this into the hands of simmers, especially those looking for a long-haul aircraft. Alongside this, a new trailer from AviationLads also debuted during the event, giving us even more insight into the Airbus aircraft. You can watch it above. We do have our hands-on impression coming up for you very soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that. Suffice to say, this is an aircraft that many people are keenly looking forward to trying for themselves when it does release this Summer (hopefully). Following the release of the A330-300, Aerosoft plans on working on the A330neo.
After revealing the airport product at the end of FlightSimExpo 2023, iniBuilds has delivered on the promise of releasing Stansted Airport before the end of the month. London Stansted (EGSS), located just outside of the city in the UK primarily serves low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Play. Other airlines that take travelers around Europe include Jet2, TUI, and JetExpress. Those looking to travel further afield can also fly with Emirates or HiSky. Stansted is the 4th biggest UK airport, so plenty of opportunities to fly. iniBuilds said that one of the standout features was the incredible ground poly details the development team has gone to create. The markings have been designed to match the real-world counterpart, meaning taxiways, runways and aircraft ramps are all “visually stunning” and accurate. The terminal buildings have also been given the same treatment, with quality interior modeling and texturing. There will be a vibrant ambiance in the passenger areas, but for those wishing to turn it off can do so via the iniManager to help with performance. Beyond the airport, iniBuilds has also created a range of things to see beyond the airport barrier. The train stations in and out of the airport are there, along with hotels, nearby buildings, custom ground service equipment, and more. You can buy Stansted Airport (EGSS) from the iniBuilds store for £13.99.
During FlightSimExpo 2023, FSDreamTeam had its own booth showcasing a new update on GSX Pro. GSX Pro is known for the way it adds new ways for you to interact with the airport environment like adding catering trucks, passenger busses, refuellers and animated passengers. Those animated passengers were confined to external views, with them moving from the bus or jetway, to the aircraft door. However, FSDreamTeam will be taking that to the next step with a brand new update for GSX. The new update will add animated passengers to the inside of your aircraft, each has its own animation set. Based on the brief conversation we had with FSDreamTeam, performance is mostly un-impacted by the addition of the 3D animated people inside the plane thanks to aggressive LOD modelling. A total of 9 LOD models have been created to ensure that performance is a top priority. FSDreamTeam said that the passengers are visible by panning the camera through the plane’s cabin, and also through the windows outside. FSDreamTeam did not indicate a release for the update, but we did record some in-direct footage of it in action.
MK-Studios has made a rather remarkable post over on their Facebook page. The team appears to be announcing Málaga Airport (LEMG) for MSFS. The announcement is made via a poll with four options for their next scenery, with all of the options being Málaga. Málaga Airport has long been requested for the simulator by the community. It’s a popular tourist destination and sees a large variety of airlines with both seasonal and continuous operations. However, the post also includes two previews of airports. These are Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (CYUL), Canada, as well as Kangerlussuaq Airport (BGSF) located in Greenland. The post is a little cryptic, as it does not seem to indicate an announcement of these two projects necessarily. Instead, MK-Studios writes that the pictures are “just to attract attention”. However, the previews appear quite advanced previews of the aforementioned airports, complete with terminal interiors, textures and other details. Oddly enough, the team did not share any previews of Málaga Airport.
Drzewiecki Design has recently released their rendition of Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (EPGD) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, also known as Gdańsk Airport, is an international airport located in the city of Gdańsk, Poland. The airport is the third busiest in Poland and is situated about 7.5 miles northwest of Gdańsk’s city centre. Gdańsk Airport serves as a major transportation hub for the region, handling both domestic and international flights and offers a wide range of connections to various destinations across Europe and beyond. At present, Gdańsk has non-stop passenger flights scheduled to 71 destinations in 23 countries with the longest route to and from Gdańsk being Tenerife-South, at 2516 miles non-stop operated by a Wizz Air Airbus A321neo. Drzewiecki Design’s rendition features a highly detailed representation of the airport with PBR ultra high texturing throughout, custom ground textures, performance optimisation, fully modelled terminal buildings, terminal interiors, up-to-date airport layout, 3D passengers, custom animations, custom sounds, custom night lighting, animated trains, and more. You can purchase Drzewiecki Design Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (EPGD) for Microsoft Flight Simulator from the iniBuilds store for £15.49 (Excluding VAT) here. Features High-quality model of EPGD Gdansk, featuring the up-to-date version with extensive details throughout the whole airport FPS-friendly design, with epic night textures, dynamic lighting and PBR materials, high definition mesh, custom sounds Performance-friendly interior modelling at all terminal buildings, hangars and the control tower, static aircraft, custom animations such as trains and vehicles, animated jetways Fully compatible with GSX Pro using Cartayna Files
X-Plane scenery developer turn their focus to the south of Portugal with their latest release, Faro Airport (ICAO: LPFR). The busy holiday destination is situated on the stunning Algarve coast at the southern flank of the European nation. With an approach over harbours, flatlands and serene beaches, Faro is a visually spectacular place to fly into, something Boundless have emulated in their use of up to date HD Ortho imagery, including custom water textures using real world colour tones. Users of X-Plane 12 can take advantage of dynamic weather effects, while users of both simulators will witness custom HD forests and vegetation, 3D volumetric grass and fully custom dynamic lighting reflecting real world lighting tones. The scenery is equipped with custom 4K PBR animated SAM Jetways and full SAM integration with marshallers and VDGS systems. You can purchase a copy of Boundless Faro Airport – LPFR for X-Plane 11/12 at their website for £16.99. Features Up to date HD Ortho imagery Fully 4K PBR terminal and airport buildings Includes nearby houses, greenhouses and industrial buildings Custom 4K PBR animated SAM Jetways Full SAM integration with marshallers & VDGS systems Custom HD forests and vegetation 3D volumetric Grass 3D trees (FPS friendly) HD custom clutter objects (roadsigns, streetlights etc) 3D People at selected locations Animated airport ground traffic (airside & landside) Custom HD PBR vehicles (airside and landside) Accurate layout as of 2023 Optional HD PBR static aircraft (FPS Friendly) Fully custom dynamic lighting reflecting real world lighting tones 4K PBR ground textures Dynamic weather effects (XP12 only) Fully accurate ground markings – including accurately modelled cracks / wear & tear Thousands of accurately placed objects and textures Full Traffic Global compatibility Fully accurate airport layout referenced from latest charts Brand new animations (Car park barriers, animated baggage being offloaded from static aircraft) Custom water textures using real world colour tones
We sit down with Colin and D’Andre from Blackbird Simulations to talk about future products, their FlightSimExpo stand and much more. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring these video interviews at FlightSimExpo 2023. Visit Contrail to see how you can access plenty of great products for your simulator.
Navigraph’s Magnus sits down with FSElite during FlightSimExpo 2023 to discuss the newly released weather layers for charts, a bit on SimBrief and also their stand at the show this year. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring these video interviews at FlightSimExpo 2023. Visit Contrail to see how you can access plenty of great products for your simulator.
During our excluisve interview with iniBuilds, Ellise from the team confirmed that the long-haul airliner previously teased will be an Airbus aircraft. When the A300-600 was announced for Microsoft Flight Simulator by the team during FlightSimExpo 2023, it was teased that a “modern long-haul airliner” was in development. However, during the conversation we had with the team, we were told that the aircraft will be from Airbus. Feel free to speculate in the comments below which aircraft you think iniBuilds will be sharing more details about the Airbus long-haul plane towards the end of 2023. iniBuilds had a busy FlightSimExpo, with showcasing the A300-600, letting people into the iniBuilds Experience ‘Dome’, and also surprising us with the announcement of Stansted. Stay tuned to FSElite for our exclusive interview with iniBuilds, which will be out soon. Editor’s Note: Image of the A300-600 gear is used because all aircraft have wheels so it can be considered somewhat(?) relevant.
By the time you are reading this, many of the attendees at FlightSimExpo 2023 will be back home, catching their breath after a busy weekend. Throughout the whole weekend, there were numerous product reveals, plenty of hands-on, and a vast number of interviews conducted by us and other media outlets. For the first proper in-person event for the team since 2019, it was always going to a special one. We’ll give a full debrief over the next few days, but the long and short of it is; this was the biggest show to date for the FlightSimExpo team. This past weekend, more than 1,900 flight simmers, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts gathered in Texas for the biggest-ever FlightSimExpo. Attendees from more than 30 countries joined 70+ exhibitors for an interactive, hands-on experience designed to showcase the power of home flight simulation for fun, pilot training, and to inspire the future generation of airline and military aviators. “Over the next few weeks, we look forward to connecting with attendees, exhibitors, sponsors, and other developers from around the community to prepare for our next show,” says organizer Evan Reiter. “Please be on the lookout for surveys and meeting invitations in the coming days!” If you missed the show and want to watch the seminars back, then you can get online access for just $15 from the FlightSimExpo website. If you attended and want to relive the moment, you should have an email with your link to access to watch all of the seminars from the show. Don’t forget to stay tuned to FSElite for more content from the show, including hands-on, interviews and debrief content.
We sit down with Anna from Orbx to discuss what their plans for the future are. It includes some surprising announcements that you may not have seen coming. Recorded on Friday 23rd June 2023. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring these video interviews at FlightSimExpo 2023. Visit Contrail to see how you can access plenty of great products for your simulator.
We interview Jorg from Microsoft and Seb from Asobo Studio about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, the current version of the simulator and how they are finding the community spirit at FlightSimExpo 2023. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring these video interviews at FlightSimExpo 2023. Visit Contrail to see how you can access plenty of great products for your simulator.
We speak to FSReborn about all their new products that were shown off at FlightSimExpo 2023. Watch how Raul passionate is about everything he makes! Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring our interviews at FlightSimExpo 2023./
Join us as we speak to a number of the developers at Just Flight as part of our FlightSimExpo2023 coverage. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring our interviews at FlightSimExpo 2023./
For the eagle-eyed at FSExpo, Aerosoft had a nice announcement. Not only was the team showing a working demo of their A330 (more to follow on that in a later article), but those paying attention may have spotted a highly requested airport. Aerosoft was teasing some early renders of Frankfurt Airport (EDDF), Germany’s main international airport, in a preview and feature slide-show at their FSExpo booth. Although the previews are mostly renders for now, they do look very promising and a lot of modelling details can be discerned. The few textured previews we can see, mostly close-ups of some details, do look promising as well. They show high quality textures with little elements of wear and tear, as well as a lot of detail. Aerosoft also shared that Frankfurt Airport is being developed by Jo Erlend. Jo has been responsible for some highly praised sceneries in the past. The team hopes to release Frankfurt before the end of the year.
We chat with Steve from Hype Performance Group about their line of products. Please note this was recorded before the original Tanker release, therefore no questions about it were posed, nor anything to do with its removal. Thanks to Contrail for sponsoring our interviews at FlightSimExpo 2023./
We have interviewed one of our favourite content creators Q8Pilot as part of our FlightSimExpo 2023 coverage. We speak about his passion, how he got started with flight simulation and why he has flown all the way to Texas in order to be at the show.
As one of the closing announcements of FlightSimExpo 2023, iniBuilds has announced Stansted Airport (EGSS) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. London Stansted, located just outside of the city in the UK primarily serves low-cost airlines such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Play. Other airlines that take travelers around Europe include Jet2, TUI, and JetExpress. Those looking to travel further afield can also fly with Emirates or HiSky. Stansted is the 4th biggest UK airport, so plenty of opportunities to fly. In the announcement, iniBuilds said that one of the standout features was the incredible ground poly details the development team has gone to create. The markings have been designed to match the real-world counterpart, meaning taxiways, runways and aircraft ramps are all “visually stunning” and accurate. The terminal buildings have also been given the same treatment, with quality interior modeling and texturing. There will be a vibrant ambiance in the passenger areas, but for those wishing to turn it off can do so via the iniManager to help with performance. Beyond the airport, iniBuilds has also created a range of things to see beyond the airport barrier. The train stations in and out of the airport are there, along with hotels, nearby buildings, custom ground service equipment, and more. iniBuilds has confirmed that Stansted Airport (EGSS) will be released before the end of the month, with some creators able to share their first looks very soon. For now, watch the trailer and stay tuned to FSElite to learn more.
It’s been a long time coming for the BlueBird Simulations’ Boeing 757. Recently, the MSFS developer shared new previews of the highly anticipated aircraft on their Facebook page. This latest round of photo previews highlights the work done on the virtual cockpit and what the aircraft will look like in airline liveries. The cockpit, especially the overhead panel, appears to have a much cleaner look compared to previous previews. In their post, BlueBird Simulations stated that we can expect a video in the coming days that goes into further detail about the project’s development. Finally seeing the aircraft in full airline paint schemes is a welcome sight for Boeing 757 enthusiasts like myself. With more and more airlines replacing their 757 fleets with the Airbus A321, having a high-quality Boeing 757 add-on has been high on the flight simulator community’s wishlist. FSElite will continue to monitor the development of the BlueBird Boeing 757 and share any additional updates.
At this year’s FlightSimExpo, Lockheed Martin has formally announced that Prepar3D v6 is in development. It will launch with an all-new atmospheric model, an improved lighting system, multiplayer functionality, and much more. Prepar3D is Lockheed Martin’s flagship simulation and training platform. Version 6 of the beloved simulator expands on previous versions before it by adding an impressive list of new features. Lighting has seen an overhaul with the new version, making environments come across more realistic than ever before. In addition to the lighting, the atmospheric effects have been vastly improved, along with adding all-new reactive environments, too. Airports have also seen a renewed focus from the development team, with higher detail models, surfaces and objects – all in response to feedback. Cities and other landscapes have also been improved over past versions. Prepar3D V6 also comes with a new mission builder, multiplayer components, realistic weapon systems, and multi-domain training. You can watch the latest trailer for Prepar3D v6 below. Prepar3D is a visual simulation platform that allows users to create training scenarios across aviation, maritime and ground domains. It has been used for a wide range of learning scenarios including vehicle procedures training, cockpit familiarization, flight planning, air traffic controller training and emergency response preparation in the commercial, academic, professional and military instruction environments. Prepar3D supports everything from visualizing missile trajectories to simulating wildfire response efforts. “The transformation of our Prepar3D software highlights continued development and evolution,” said Jonathon Wells, vice president of Lockheed Martin Air and Commercial Solutions. “Prepar3D furthers Lockheed Martin’s commitment to bring upgraded capabilities and features for next-generation training solutions.” FSElite will be speaking to Lockheed Martin during FlightSimExpo 2023 to ask them everything about the new simulator. Keep your eyes peeled on all of our FlightSimExpo 2023 content. Edit: We removed the original release date info under request of Lockheed Martin, due to a last minute change of plan. Prepar3D V6 Key Features Lighting and shadows in Prepar3D are more realistic than any previous version around the globe An entirely new atmospheric model that brings unprecedented levels of realism and fidelity A streamlined update process, expected to result in significant time and bandwidth savings An increased focus on airports, including higher detail lighting models, surfaces and objects, in response to user feedback
Developer Fabio Merlo has announced a major update coming soon to Flight Control Replay v5 for both Microsoft Flight Simulator and Prepar3D. Flight Control Replay bills itself as the most complete tool for video replay and recording and has become an essential piece of software for many flight simmers thanks to its expansive feature set, strong developer support, and ease of use. In the just-announced update, Fabio reveals several new features of note. These include: Fly-by Camera for Replay A long-awaited feature that has been absent from Microsoft Flight Simulator, the fly-by camera allows users to watch their aircraft on the ground or in the air from an external camera that automatically follows the aircraft’s position. The feature enables replay from anywhere, using any aircraft, and with any add-on scenery. Users can easily specify the position of the replay camera left or right of the aircraft and set a custom distance for the camera from the aircraft. Expanded Support for HPG H145 V2 In the announcement, Fabio explained that “complex aircraft add-ons need a custom development time and coding effort to make sure that all events are actually detected and reproduced during replay.” This was the case for the Hype Performance Group H145. With the latest Flight Control Replay update, the popular helicopter gains added support for lights, doors, engine switches, and more – in addition to the already supported features for the aircraft. The H145 joins the growing list of custom-supported aircraft that includes the PMDG 747, Fenix A320, Fly The Maddog MD80 series, Just Flight 146 Pro, Aerosoft CRJ, iniBuilds A310, FlyByWire Simulations A32NX, and Salty 747-400 Mod. Replay Editing & Video Compression Enhancements Another useful feature included in the update allows users to trim their replay files directly from the Flight Control Replay v5 user interface. This saves time by eliminating unnecessary parts of the video replay. Further, by utilising efficient compression technology the .FCR (Flight Control Replay user files) now require far less disk space than before. This makes cloud or mobile drive sharing of replay files easier and faster. Greater User Interface Customisation By default, Flight Control Replay V5 allows users to choose their desired interface size and layout as well as set transparency and “always-on-top” mode – keeping the interface always visible even with the flight simulator running in full screen. The latest v5 update adds the option for further customisation of the layout to persist the menu or keep the buttons command bar visible at all times depending on user preference. Release Date & Pricing In the press release, Fabio mentions that the expected release date will be sometime “before the end of Summer 2023.” While we don’t have an exact release date, we do know what the pricing will be as it will follow a tiered pricing structure based on when/if a user already owns Flight Control Replay v4.5. New purchase, never owned before: €20.00 Previously purchased version Flight Control Replay 4.5: €8.25 You can pick up your copy of Flight Control Replay v5 from SIMMARKET and update it to the latest version when it becomes available. Full List of Features: New User Interface (MSFS + P3D) Customizable Size and Transparency (MSFS + P3D) MSFS Toolbar integration and in-game controls (MSFS only) Cinematic Replay with Automatic Cameras Switch (MSFS only) GhostPlane: formation flying live with AI duet pilot (MSFS + P3D) MSFS Airliners Custom Support PMDG 737, Fenix A320, Fly The Maddog, iniBuilds A310, Just Flight 146 Next-gen memory management for performance upgrade (MSFS + P3D) Landing Touchdown Report (MSFS + P3D) Crash-to-desktop recovery Easy setup of the software MSFS users: all included in 1 automatic setup P3D users: the same 1 automatic setup and 2 Microsoft separate packages are required FREE download of the User Manual PDF
TFDi’s highly anticipated McDonnel Douglass MD-11 for Microsoft Flight Simulator has gone up for pre-sale on the company’s website. The product is being listed for $80USD, although for customers attending FSExpo this weekend there is a 15% discount available when you visit the team’s booth on the show floor. TFDi are promising a highly detailed rendition of the plane which will include a fully modelled cockpit with circuit breakers, complete autopilot functionality, fully modelled systems including the FMS, pneumatics, hydraulics, fuelling and electronics, and a fully modelled passenger cabin. In addition the team are offering several customisation options for the plane. When I spoke to the team at their booth here at expo, they mentioned one such example as the engine indicators. Typically on an MD11 these are depicted as circles on the ECAM, a bit like you would see on an Airbus. However when KLM operated the MD-11, these circles were replaced by lines (as seen in the images below). The team are also offering an ‘Extended Simulation Package’ which will include simulated failures. Simmers will have to contend with things going wrong and break out their emergency procedures checklists for an immersive experience bringing the aircraft down safely. Right now you can pre-order the TFDi MD-11 for $80USD at the company’s website. This offering includes both the passenger and cargo versions of the plane.
We interview the developers behind FlightControlReplay as part of our FlightSimExpo 2023 coverage. We discuss the upcoming v5 Summer update that adds even more features to the already impressive feature list. Premiers June 24th @ 10:30 CDT // 15:30 GMT
Miltech Simulations, a team of developers working towards filling the gap in military simulation products for MSFS, has announced their upcoming release of the CH-47 Chinook for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Chinook is a twin-engine, tandem-rotor heavy-lift helicopter that is used by the militaries of over 20 countries. It is known for its versatility and ability to carry large loads, making it an ideal platform for a variety of missions, including troop transport, cargo delivery, and search and rescue. In the announcement, Miltech Simulations have released 2 images of the cockpit. The Miltech Simulations Chinook will feature a high level of detail, including realistic flight dynamics, accurate cockpit modeling, and a variety of liveries. The add-on will also include a number of custom features, such as a sling load system and a cargo bay with interactive cargo. The Miltech Simulations Chinook is scheduled for release in Q4 2023. It will be available for purchase on the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace.
Just Flight has released a new update for their popular FS Traffic add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator. FS Traffic features a fleet of over 100 different aircraft models. The aircraft are all highly detailed, with high-resolution textures and custom animations. FS Traffic also includes a variety of visual effects, such as contrails, engine heat blur, and touchdown smoke. In addition to the aircraft models, FS Traffic also includes a comprehensive flight plan database. The database covers the entire world and includes both scheduled and charter flights. FS Traffic also allows you to customize the traffic levels in your simulator, so you can choose how much traffic you want to see. Version 1.0.5 includes a number of new features and improvements, including: New aircraft models: FS Traffic now includes models for the Boeing 737-7, 737-8, 737-9, 757-200, 757-300, 767-300, and Airbus A350-1000. New effects: FS Traffic now includes custom code for touchdown smoke and wheel spray effects. New animations: FS Traffic now includes wing-flex and control surface droop animations for a number of aircraft models. Other improvements: FS Traffic has also been improved in a number of other areas, including: Reduced volume on all aircraft sounds. Fixed a number of bugs. Updated the user interface. FS Traffic v1.0.5 is a significant update that adds a number of new features and improvements. If you’re looking for a more realistic and immersive flight experience, then FS Traffic is a must-have add-on. You can pick up a copy of FS Traffic directly from Just Flight for £26.99 Changelog: Core Installer (v1.0.5) 20/06/23 Reworked cruise traffic system: Flight plans are based on plausible departure and arrival airports, interacts with ATC and external lighting works. Added support for multiple legs: If a new destination is selected after landing at an initial destination, a new destination can be set using the in-sim menu and traffic will spawn at that airport. Adjusted arrival logic so that aircraft spacing is improved and reduces the likelihood of low flypasts. Replaced destination spawn logic: Tests that the user is within the reality bubble rather than relying on distance. This should reduce the chance of traffic not appearing at the destination and will allow traffic to spawn at the earliest possible point in time. Disabled reliance on hard coded airports list: Users can now create user flight plans for airports that do not include those covered by FST. Combined departure and arrival .pln files: This will reduce the installation time by halving the number of flight plans. Remove Traffic button logic improved so that multiple removals are possible. Added an alternate wingspan option into the Traffic Control Centre: This option will allow aircraft to spawn at airports where the gate sizes are too small. This does not affect the physical wingspan of the aircraft models. Alphabetical filter added to Routes Manager in Traffic Control Centre in order to reduce loading time lag. Added – New Livery assistant to make setting up new liveries straightforward. Bug – Now able to add new liveries to an aircraft where the livery count was 0. Added – Custom airlines that do not exist in the airlines database will be added when assigning them in the TCC Aircraft Manager. Additional popup will ask you to assign a Callsign PLN files generated by the TCC when creating a new route updated to match the new format used by the module. LOD option values modified to reflect new model settings. Traffic Fleet installer (v1.0.5) 20/06/23 Major: Added 737-7, 737-8, 737-9, 757-200, 757-300, 767-300, A350-1000 (See below for livery list) Major: Added custom code for touchdown smoke and wheel spray effects Major: Added wing-flex to A350-900/1000, 777-300, A330-300, A330-200,747-400, 747-8, A380 Major: Added control surface droop to A319/A320/A321/A330-200/A330-330/A350-900/A350-1000/A380 Minor: Reduced volume on all aircraft sounds (Other aircraft slider can now be set to 1...
Only a month since the last update rollout, FlyingIron Simulations’ Spitfire for Microsoft Flight Simulator has just received a new update. The latest update, 1.4.1, which is available right now from FlyingIron Simulations and soon be on the Marketplace, continues on improving the sound set and updates some small bugs. This new update includes additional high RPM sounds to all engine tracks, improved cockpit engine sounds, rain sounds, exterior sound muffling, multiplayer sound upgrades and more. The full changelog can be found below. Changelog Sound: Added additional high-RPM engine sounds to all engine tracks Remade & retuned engine pitch curves and transitions to better represent the RPM range Cockpit Engine sounds improved (stereo mix restored, samples improved, canopy muffling tweaked to be more like previous versions) Minor reverb tweaks Added rain sound cockpit muffling Exterior sounds (such as other aircraft) are now correctly muffled with the canopy closed Updated AI/Multiplayer sounds with the latest engine sounds Misc: Fixed prop strike bug Updated canopy to interactive point
Nestled in the heart of the English countryside, Compton Abbas Airfield (ICAO: EGHA) is now available in Microsoft Flight Simulator with Burning Blue Design’s latest release. The airfield, owned by film director Guy Ritchie, hosts a number of flying schools and is home to warbirds like the Spitfire and Harvard, making Compton Abbas a diverse and often extremely busy airfield, located in an ‘Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ in the Dorset countryside. The scenery comes with over 80 custom 3D objects each with full physical based rendering (PBR) textures, and depicts the most accurate layout of the airfield after undergoing extensive renovations in recent months. Animated hangar doors which close at night and animated spectators enhance the realism of the scenery, as does the extensive modelling of real aircraft that are based at the airfield, such as Supermarine Spitfire Mk. T IX, 2 seat, NH341, ‘Elizabeth’ (G-CICK) and North America T-6G Harvard, ‘Carly’ (G-BGHU), among others. You can purchase a copy of Burning Blue Design Compton Abbas at their website for £10.95. Features Over 80 custom 3D objects each with full Physical Based Rendering (PBR) textures. Based on May 2023 layout directly after the grand re-opening after significant building works with accurate buildings, runway, taxiways and custom taxi signs. Full custom night lighting. Dynamic working runway designator sign. Animated hangar doors which close at night. Completely custom windsock. Animated spectators. Real-life static aircraft seen at Compton Abbas: Boeing Stearman PT-17 Model 75 N2S-4 Kaydet (14) (G-ISDN) De Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth (G-ANKZ) De Havilland Chipmunk (G-BWNK) De Havilland Chipmunk (G-ULAS) Supermarine Spitfire Mk. T IX, 2 seat, NH341, ‘Elizabeth’ (G-CICK) North America T-6G Harvard, ‘Carly’ (G-BGHU) High resolution colour corrected ground textures taken from Bing maps and manipulated for consistency and realism. Enhanced local surroundings including lakes and farms for more accurate circuits.
Coastal scenery developer Seafront Simulations took to their Facebook page to announce that the Azores will be their next project for MSFS. For those unfamiliar with the Azores, it is an autonomous region of Portugal located in the mid-Atlantic Ocean. The nine islands are known for their incredible nature and are home to one of the largest whale sanctuaries in the world. Tourism on the islands has steadily risen with the increase of direct flights to North America from the capital city, Ponta Delgada. In their post, Seafront Simulations announced that their upcoming product will cover all nine islands in the Azores with beautiful coastlines, thousands of static boats, and hundreds of animated boats and ferry services. Even better, the developer has stated that the development of the product is complete, so the flight simulator community won’t have to wait too long to experience these stunning islands. FSElite will continue to monitor the product’s status and provide any future updates.
The CEO of Honeycomb Aeronautical Nicki Repenning has taken to the state at Flight Sim Expo 2023 to unveil a range of new products and offer an update on the company’s existing offerings for flight simmers. The presentation at FSExpo kicked off with a product update – acknowledging criticism from the community that Honeycomb takes “way too long to make products”. Nicki says that delays, particularly concerning the Charlie Pedals which went on pre-order almost a year ago, are down to supply chain issues – but also says that getting the product just right is paramount to the company’s mission. “Every product we make has to have a reason to exist” he says. With Alpha, that reason was a gap in the market for a yoke priced above Saitek’s entry level offering, but lower than the more sophisticated kit which will cost you four figures. Well, that product had been completely discontinued in favour of the Alpha XPC. Going forwards though, the XPC yoke will be discontinued as well in favour of a whole new product like – the Alpha Pro and Alpha Lite. Introducing: The Alpha Lite! It’s a stripped back version of the existing Alpha Yoke. Same feel and finish, internally it’s the same product. The only difference is that it comes without the battery, avionics, magnetos and light switches. It will ship for $199 USD, about 25% off the current Alpha XPC model. And introducing: the Alpha Flight Controls PRO. Starting at $299 USD, this new yoke is still fundamentally the Alpha which you’re used to, but it will come with better Hall effect sensors up to 16096 resolution. It’s a lot more advanced than the original Alpha. Moving on – another new product! The Flap Kit for Bravo. Some inventive types had already made detents which slotted into your Bravo throttle and sold them on third party websites like Etsy, but now Honeycomb are making their own version following community feedback. This one is fairly self explanatory really. The rubber plate sits in the fifth slot on your bravo and contains gaps which your flap lever will fit into. The flap kit ships with three bracket covers which offer different increments, so if you want to fly both Boeing and Airbus planes then you will be covered. It will ship for $29.99 USD, or $69.99 USD as a bundle with the existing Airbus throttle lever kit. And then. ANOTHER new product! Honeycomb are also releasing a USB hub for all your USB hardware add ons. It contains six USB A slots and a 30W power supply, and has been designed and with all major add ons and manufacturers. It will ship at $49.99 USD. Designed and tested specifically to support the data and power requirements for flight sim equipment. Then Nicki turned out attention to Honeycomb’s Lima Chair. This is not really new because it had been teased before, but for those unaware it is basically a gaming chair. It’s designed to feel more like the seats that are found in airliners and comes with one feature in particular which is very useful. If you want to use rudder pedals but your desk chair is on wheels, you will know the pain of having to anchor your chair to the ground somehow. The Lima chair also comes on 5 wheels, but these wheels are lockable! It is made from high-end Alcantara type fabric, features traditional armrests, and should be comfortable seating for both flight simulation and office work. It will ship for $300USD. Nicki suggested to me after the seminar that this should be shipping to customers in October, with the first container arriving in the US in August. Next we got an update on Tango and Foxtrot, Honeycomb’ upcoming HOTAS system. It was very brief and we didn’t really learn anything we didn’t already know, but we did see that they will come with the option to clamp onto your desk via a telescopic mount. We also saw previews later in the presentation of a HOTAS which was using the same mounting platform, suggesting that multiple different stick and throttle combinations will be possible with the product. Following that, we moved ont...
Probably the most anticipated seminar of the day was the one by Microsoft. On stage for Microsoft were Jorg Neumann and Sebastian Wloch, telling us a little bit more about what the company has been up to. Microsoft is fully aware of the impact they have had on the flight simulator industry, and Jorg started off with thanking all the people that make it happen; from the developers and creators of add-ons to those covering it all. Microsoft’s flight simulator is now over 40 years old, and has reached over 12 million people in just the last three years. Microsoft has delivered several updates over the last few years, ranging from World Updates to significant sim updates and new content, such as the 40th Anniversary Edition. In total, Microsoft has delivered over 30 updates to the sim. These updates could not have been created without the support of the amazing teams at Microsoft and Asobo alike, as well as the several third party partners that Microsoft has worked together with. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Microsoft announced the latest iteration of their simulator, Flight Simulator 2024, at last week’s Xbox event. The decision to show the trailer at the Xbox event was deliberate due to the audience and reach, but Jorg is here to enlighten us more about Microsoft’s latest announcement. The presentation, as well as Flight Simulator 2024, revolve around several focus areas that were explained by the team. The first of those is simulation activities. One of the main things that Microsoft has heard as feedback is that people want to do more things in the simulator. Microsoft is adding a lot of content to make the sim more interactive. Not to say that it’s going to become a game, that is something Jorg was very explicit about. The activities will revolve around real life aviation activities and styles of flying. For those wondering why there were no airliners in the trailer, Jorg had a simple answer: there will be airliners, and there will be a lot of them. The exact content of the simulator will still be shared later. Focus 2 revolved around the core simulator and its technology. Anyone wanting to use MSFS right now still needs to download a significant amount of data to their local storage. Microsoft is looking to solve this issue by making the size of the sim overall smaller and moving more data to the cloud so that it can be streamed on demand. On top of that, you will only download what you need to your local storage, reducing the footprint of MSFS even more. This also allows to keep the minimal specs requirement for systems low and make the sim accessible to more people. All this has been done while keeping backwards compatibility in mind. And don’t worry, the community folder isn’t going anywhere either. Talking more about the simulator technologies and what makes things fly, Flight Simulator 2024 is bringing a huge set of new features and improvements with it. Using new physics methods and simulations, such as rigid and soft body simulation as well as tissue and rope simulation, Microsoft is able to take MSFS24 to a whole new level and add new types of simulations. These new technologies (and new ways of flying) were demoed with a balloon, which is shown to inflate, deflate and fly around based on the new physics systems. In terms of actual aircraft systems, these got upgrades and enhancements across the board. Updated electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, as well as dynamic wear and tear and failures. The sim will also include more and wider avionics systems, as well as cockpit tablets by default. Focus area 3 is the so-called “Digital Twin”. By this, Microsoft means the digital representation of the whole world, and specifically, how to make this look better and more accurate. Using new low altitude training for machine learning enables Microsoft and Asobo to get a more accurate representation of the countryside, or areas of the world that would otherwise lack in coverage. One area that was specifically m...
After teasing the airport on social media a couple of weeks ago, MK Studios has officially released Bologna Airport for MSFS. Officially known as Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (LIPE/BLQ), Bologna Airport is named after Italian inventor and electrical engineer Guglielmo Marconi. The airport features a single 9,196 foot runway and all gates feature boarding/deboarding via airstairs. Interestingly, the airport is connected to the city center of Bologna via a monorail service known as the Macaroni Express. Despite its smaller size, the airport serves as a hub for Neos and Ryanair. MK Studios’ rendition of Bologna Airport was built from scratch, and features interiors of the main terminal building, modeling of important landmarks surrounding the airport, custom ground support equipment vehicles, and more. The scenery is also compatible with most A.I. traffic add-ons. You can now purchase MK Studios’ Bologna Airport scenery from Contrail for €13.00 (excluding VAT). Features High-fidelity rendition of Bologna Airport built from the ground up Main terminal interiors modeled Landside buildings and significant POIs near the airport Custom GSE vehicles Optimized to MSFS performance guidelines for PC and Xbox Compatible with most aircraft AI plug-ins
Announced on Xbox Wire just moments ago, Microsoft has released the new Ford 4-AT Trimotor for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Ford 4-AT Trimotor is an aviator’s dream machine: an all-metal, high-wing, three-engine passenger, and cargo aircraft. Built ruggedly, it can operate out of some of the world’s most austere airfields, and due to its renowned forgivingness in the air, the Trimotor elevates pilot confidence to new heights. The Trimotor is powered by three 300-horsepower, 9-cylinder Wright J-6-9 Whirlwind radial piston engines, each turning a 2-blade, fixed-pitch propeller. What is unique is that one of the engines is mounted right under the nose of the aeroplane. With a range of 570 miles, it will offer some cool short flights at a maximum speed of 132 miles per hour. The Ford 4-AT Trimotor is available today for one week FREE to simmers; starting on June 30 at 11:59 PM PDT, it will be available for $14.99.
Navigraph CEO, Magnus Axholt, started off their FSExpo presentation with a quick introduction. He and Stephen O’Connell, CTO, started 10 years ago and have since built a team of 25 to lead the flight simulation hobby in all things charts and navigation data. The program we know and love started as a PDF viewer and is now in the 8th iteration. They recoded Navigraph with their 8th iteration in order to build a platform that is capable of adding new features at a faster rate. As many of you know, the team recently introduced weather layers to their program – which was the focus of their FSExpo presentation. There are tons of different layers that provide all sorts of data which are relevant to flight planning. We already released an article discussing this new feature which you can check out here. We’ll provide a brief summary below: Radar, which is a representation of data collected by, you guessed it, radars. AIRSIGMET/CWA, which are color coded areas that provide information regarding turbulence, thunderstorms, IFR conditions, etc. METAR data is also included which is visually presented including color coding for IFR/VFR, icing, and more. Turbulence provides a visual depiction of how turblulence will affect your planned route. Icing, which shows icing conditions at various altitudes and intensities. Reflectivity, which is similar to radar but has greater predictive capabilities that extends past what radar can show. Cloud cover, which simply shows where clouds are located on the map. ISA temperature shows different temperatures at various altitudes. Tropopause, which shows at what altitude the tropopause ends. Many detail-oriented simmers will pay attention to the tropopause altitude as that’s usually where weather will end. Convective cloud top level, which displays clouds that represent the formation of storms (which we all like to avoid or possibly fly directly into). High cloud top level displaying the highest portion of the clouds. Surface visibility displaying data relevant to those of us that want to chase CAT III landing conditions. MSL (mean sea level) pressure, great for getting a better understanding of atmospheric pressure conditions at the surface. Jet streams which displays the high speed winds that shaves hours off of trans-Atlantic flights. Wind barbs showing the strength and direction of wind.
At FlightSimExpo 2023, a new air traffic control system was announced for Microsoft Flight Simulator. BeyondATC plans on completely overhauling the default Microsoft Flight Simulator system with their own custom solution. Using the latest in AI technology, the team will have over 100 generated voices to help provide realistic FAA and ICAO phraseology to pilots in the sim. The plan is to incorporate SimBrief integration, IFR and VFR support, and also the ability to add airline gates, SOPs, runway selections much more with community-sourced data. BeyondATC plans on also being able to support AI traffic models from FSLTL and FS Traffic. The voices are generated online, hence an online connection will be required, and will be compatible with both Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. You can join their Discord to learn more, or watch the YouTube trailer above.
iniBuilds have kicked off their FlightSimExpo 2023 experience by sharing a huge update on the latest news for their previously announced A300-600 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The team has spent the past few months completely re-creating the exterior model of the aircraft, implementing 8K and 4K PBR texturing throughout. The team has worked to create an aircraft that is full of details that is akin to the real-world counterpart. The outside isn’t the only area that is has seen this attention to detail, either. The inside has been given plenty of work to make the A300 stand out. This includes an accurate looking cockpit and also the cargo hold in the cargo version of the plane. Initially, iniBuilds says that the cargo version of the plane will release firsthand a passenger varient will come post-release, and will include a fully modelled 3D cabin. What is cool about the cargo version will be the ability to add cargo like cars, animals, and other packages. “Picture yourself transporting an F1 car to a thrilling race in Bahrain or taking precious cargo for an important client,” iniBuilds said in their forum post. Modelling isn’t the only thing that has been given attention as the flight model will also be accurate and authentic, designed to replicate the real-world plane. Full ACARS and CPDLC simulation will also be included, along with a comprehensive WWise soundset. The iniBuilds A300-600 Airliner provides you with an ultimate airliner experience embarking on extraordinary adventures, where the sky is no longer the limit. iniBuilds The iniBuilds A300-600 will also come with a new tool that will take cargo carrying to a new level. They weren’t ready to show it off yet, as they said it requires a post of its own in the future./h3 There is no release date just yet, but those attending FlightSimExpo 2023 will be able to experience the product first hand as part of their big set-up. Modern Long-Haul Airliner Experience? Work continues to progress on the iniBuilds ‘Secret Project’ that promises to be a “modern long-haul airliner experience.” iniBuilds didn’t expand on that, but an official unveiling towards the end of 2023 should hopefully happen. As usual, FSElite will be here to report on it when they do share whatever this mysterious new aircraft will be. Key Features (A300-600 Airliner for MSFS): Comprehensive systems simulation alongside an authentic flight-model in line with all iniBuilds airliner products. The A300 for Microsoft Flight Simulator will feature an incredibly realistic flight model, meticulously designed to replicate the handling, performance, and behavior of the real-life aircraft. Get ready to experience the thrill of flying the A300 as if you were in the captain’s seat! Full ACARS/CPDLC simulation (including SimBrief) with the option for classic and modern pedestal options (like the X-Plane version) Navigraph charts compatibility in a feature-rich EFB including comprehensive cargo operation simulation. Numerous realistic and fictional liveries for free via iniManager Custom WWise sound set including authentic sound recordings from the real aircraft, dynamically balanced within a 3D environment. A fully modelled Freighter (release version) & passenger version (post-release) of the A300-600 airliner. The passenger version will include a fully modelled cabin.
Since entering official Beta testing in January of this year, A2A Simulations have been working hard to showcase the upcoming Piper Comanche 250 at FSExpo in Houston. Scott Gentile being interviewed by content creator, TwoToneMurphy, describes how the Comanche 250 has been designed and implemented with accuracy in mind. A2A Simulations is famous for their Accu-Sim range of aircraft, and now the same attention to detail, even in the last few moments before touching down, is built into the Piper Comanche to bring it alive within MSFS. The detail continues with links to Scott’s real world experience of flying the Comanche. From flying through bumpy air and seeing slight wing stress to slipping down on approach, planting the aircraft on the ground, retracting the Johnson bar controlled flaps, it’s all modelled inside MSFS with the greatest of detail. The video presentation exhibited the plethora of features that can effect the aircraft over a long period of time. In an effort to bring the immersion of flying and maintaining a real light aircraft, A2A Simulations has included the ability to complete a full walk around and pre-flight check where you can manipulate the ailerons, elevators and flaps, operate tie downs, check engine oil levels and conditions, fill the hold with baggage, your wing tanks with fuel and check for contaminants like water. The Comanche will come with an extensive EFB and maintenance system which contains in-depth engine and system monitors. The Engine Analyser shows the detail down to each cylinder. The video showed three consecutive engine starts with consistent conditions, each start took varying lengths of time and vibrations as the engine splutters into life. When changing the conditions to cold, the engine takes a more reserved approach to starting, or rather not starting. Over time, the engine will start to vary in its performance with cylinders being coded to degrade. The video showed the engine spluttering a misfire which is also demonstrated in the visualiser and audibly at low idle as the engine pitch and sounds change. The entire showcase was matched with impressive sounds that bring life to the aircraft. Scott showed how the team recorded the sound of the aircraft rolling across the ground without being interrupted by the sound of the Lycoming engine, by amusingly attaching the aircraft to a car via a rope and driving across the airfield. The demonstration came to a close to show the aircraft in flight including a spin and recovery alongside some of the previously discussed tutorials that the team have been working hard to put together, before the final run with the Beta team and the upcoming release.
As just announced at FlightSimExpo 2023, Chewwy94 has a fresh look at the F-16 Throttle Quadrant from Thrustmaster. Check out the unboxing and his first impressions now.
Thrustmaster kick off the FSExpo 2023 rightfully showing off their impressive back catalogue. Thrustmaster has historically revolved many of their announcements around the FSExpos including the TPR Pendular Rudder at Las Vegas, followed by the F/A-18C Hornet HOTAS Add-On Flip in Orlando, and finally the TCA Yoke Pack Boeing Edition at San Diego. They didn’t hesitate to move directly to their new product announcement, the Viper TQS Mission Pack. They transitioned to an exciting video showcasing the new product, filled with action shots including dodging missiles, dogfighting, chaff, flare, and plenty of explosions. Following the video, Michel Stojkovic explained that the design philosophy stems from emotion; after all flying is a passion we all share as simmers. Their design philosophy is split between three main categories; replica, realism, and immersion. The design will be a faithful representation of the real F-16 Throttle grip while maintaining the form factor limitations of home simulation. The product line includes a throttle and panel controls based on the Viper F-16 and is licensed alongside the U.S Air Force. The 1:1 scale throttle is built with precision in mind, which means quality parts such as realistic detents and smooth, precise throttle control and a chaff/flare ‘panic button’. The panel controls, which are detachable and can be purchased either as a package alongside the throttle, or separately, was designed to include all of the important backlit switches, a gear handle, and “balances functionality and reality.” The TQS Viper Mission Pack will be released for pre-order on August 31st for $529/€499 for the throttle and panel, or separately for $349/€329 for the throttle and $249/€229 for the panel. Watch Chewwy94 unbox the Thrustmaster TQS Viper Mission Pack here.
At long last, FlightSimExpo 2023 is now open! Evan has taken to the stage to introduce what promises to be the biggest show yet. After years of restrictions and toned-down shows, FlightSimExpo 2023 is back, bigger then ever. Here’s the latest from the opening presentation. The show has opened up with a great demonstration from the Flight Simulator Thunderbirds. Evan is now on stage saying the hellos and some housekeeping. Today was sold out completely, that’s just how keen people were to get back to in-person shows. Almost 2,000 people are going to attend this year. Following the presentation, Thrustmaster is taking the stage kicking off the product announcement seminar. 21% of attendees are new to flight simulation. There is a selection of seminars designed for newcomers, including how to start flying from home, an ATC demo flight, taking the next steps in flight simulation and then how to get into airliner flying. This is the biggest flight sim expo in our history. 1,900 people hopefully by the end of the weekend. Evan, FlightSimExpo 2023 Following the show, a debrief survey will come out for those to send their thoughts. There will also be a webinar specifically for feedback and answer questions about this year’s show. Follow along on our live blog to stay up-to-date. This is a breaking article and we’ll update it during the presentation.
Sim-Wings has released its V2 rendition of Munich International Airport (EDDM) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Munich International Airport is the latest of an increasing number of airports released in the early days of MSFS to benefit from a version 2 update. Munich International Airport, officially known as Munich Airport Franz Josef Strauß, is one of the busiest and most modern airports in Germany. It is located approximately 17 miles northeast of Munich’s city centre, in the state of Bavaria. The airport serves as a major transportation hub for both domestic and international flights. Sim-Wings’ V2 rendition of Munich International Airport is a completely reworked version of its predecessor and includes a new terminal (construction site) as well as various other new surrounding buildings, PBR high-quality texturing throughout, custom aerial images plus many other corrections and additions. This new version also includes the Aerosoft VDGS safegate system. Sim-Wings Munich International Airport (EDDM) V2 for Microsoft Flight Simulator is a free update for all existing owners. For new customers, you can purchase the scenery from the Aerosoft Store for €25.16 here. Features Highly detailed scenery of Munich Airport Custom aerial photo for the airport, elaborate retouching and colour correction for a true display Seamless transition to the default simulator landscape Terraforming to blend an airport into the default elevation model Detailed taxi, ground lines and stands according to current maps Taxiway bridges across the access roads New terminal building (construction site) at T1 Extremely detailed Munich airport buildings with interiors (airside) and all additional buildings Complete freight area with container storage, hangars and buildings Animated jetways Many static apron vehicles Realistic nighttime dynamic lighting MSFS SDK materials (PBR) Now with a working VDGS safe gate system (Aerosoft module, PC only)
Asobo Studio and Working Title’s Aircraft & Avionics Update 2 (AAU2) for Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available. This new update fixes issues with the Garmin (G3000, G5000, GNS430W, GNS530W, G1000 Nxi), and brings a major avionics overhaul for the Boeing 747-8i included in the Standard Edition and the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner included in the Premium Deluxe Edition. The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner and the 747-8 Intercontinental have both received an extensive list of updates and upgrades, including new flight models, complete screen visual overhaul to avionics fonts, look, integration and feel, highly detailed avionics, sound upgrades, visually accurate PFD supporting rising runway indication, ILS symbology, FPV and more. True-to-life systems, performance calculations, functional GPS/IRS positioning, advanced flight plan support including holds, arcs, intercepts, missed approaches, diversions, go-arounds, integrated MFD checklists and more. The Cessna Citation CJ4/WT21 and Cessna Citation Longitude have also received a series of updates and bug fixes such as FMS updates and autothrottle upgrades. The Garmin G3000/G5000, GNS430W/GNS530W and G1000 Nxi have all received an update too, including bug fixes for edge cases, VNAV profile improvements and added support for third-party developers to provide global plugins for the NXi. Asobo Studio and Working Title’s AAU2 beta update (1.33.8.0) for Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available for download. You can also find extensive aircraft manuals available for download here. The full release notes can be found below. Release Notes 1.33.8.0 General Bug Fixes The autopilot/flight director HDG mode now only reverses turn direction if the selected heading is turned past the aeroplane’s current heading in the direction of the turn reversal (NXI, G3000, GNS, WT21) Improved the behaviour of turn anticipation calculation around AF/RF legs whose start and end points are slightly offset from the arc (NXI, G3000, GNS, WT21) Fixed an issue where back course localizers are not being flown correctly (NXI, G3000, GNS, WT21) Some error message boxes have been changed into notifications to make them less intrusive. Fixed a bug where having too many installed Marketplace items would result in the game being stuck on the “Checking for Updates” screen Fixed a bug that could cause World Updates 7 to 12 to be deleted from the user’s Xbox storage Updated GPU crash message for displaying more information Glass Cockpits Garmin G3000 / G5000 Fixed some edge cases where VPATH was not properly disarmed/deactivated after a change to the VNAV state made it so that there was no path to track Fixed various cases where the VNAV profile would sometimes display incorrect information near the end of an approach depending on if the missed approach was activated Fixed a bug where the autopilot/flight director would not deactivate LOC mode during ILS/LOC approaches after the active nav source was switched to FMS Fixed a bug where certain intersections would not be displayed on the map or the GTC Nearest Intersections page Fixed a bug where removing the traffic and relative terrain indicators from the navigation map would leave behind an empty but visible container Fixed a bug where TAWS touchdown callouts were not using the nearest runway elevation Fixed a small inaccuracy in the lateral deviation scale above the PFD HSI Map The autopilot/flight director HDG mode now only reverses turn direction if the selected heading is turned past 330 degrees away from the aeroplane’s current heading Fixed a bug where sometimes re-opening a GTC popup using the Back button would cause elements below it to not be correctly hidden or darkened Fixed a bug where the VNAV profile was not displaying time to TOD when still in the departure segment even if the aeroplane has reached cruise altitude and sequenced all climb constraints Reduced the delay of TAWS touchdown callouts when using radio altitude G1000 Nxi Added support for third-part...
Released just two months ago, the Expert Series ATR 42-600 / 72-600 for Microsoft Flight Simulator has received yet another update. This time the public release version has been brought up to version 1.0.20 featuring an extensive list of changes, updates, and bug fixes. As with all previous updates to the ATR, the new version can be updated via the Microsoft Flight Simulator Content Manager. Expert Series 1: ATR 42-600 and ATR 72-600 for MSFS – Official Trailer The changelog for this update is included below. Of note is that the list of fixes and improvements is rather substantial with a number of updates based directly on community feedback. This includes autopilot improvements, a SimBrief flight plan importer, and new ATR Highline liveries, among other fixes. The ATR 42-600 / 72-600 is available via the MSFS in-game Marketplace for $19.99 (€19.99, £16.74) with a discount offered for owners of the Deluxe or Premium Deluxe editions of the simulator. If you want to learn a bit more about how to fly the aircraft, be sure to check out the 320 Sim Pilot Gives a Full ATR 42/72 Flight Guide we shared via Streams. Changelog Added the Highline liveries for the ATR 42 and ATR 72 Added support for importing flight plans from SimBrief The EFB can be used for loading the aircraft Added code for diffuse light in cargo hold Fixed converting passenger number into pounds Slowed down IAS mode pitch change Fixed switching lateral AFCS mode cancelling vertical AFCS mode Added support for HOLD THROTTLE REVERSE THRUST event Fixed Propeller NP remains at 100% Fixed FD pitch indication inverted Added bearing pointers smoothing and added navaid variance based on signal strength Added smoothing to PFD CDI indication Fixed Boost can be activated on ground at PL over flight idle Fixes to checklist automation Added End of Climb/Descent symbol in ND map Fixed batteries charging when charger is switched off Fixed electrical system starting up after MFC 1B/2B test instead of 1A/2A Fixed service door test using main door status. Fixed generators and hydraulics state on loading aircraft Fixed NEW WPT on LTRL REV page inserted waypoint at wrong position Fixed Go Around pitch command Added VORs and NDBs to manual flightplan entries Added VORs and NDBs to Direct To Ident function Fixed throttle advancing to flight idle on first press of A button when no reverse axis is defined Fixed External power worked without battery switch being ON Fixed Fuel Flow page showing fuel used instead of fuel flow total Improved AFCS mode change when switching nav source Fixed MFD VCP SQ Code not showing leading zeros Fixed Hotel mode/External power not charging batteries Fixed caution light not illuminating on start up Added WPT field function to POS INIT page Fixed starter not disengaging when engine start is cancelled Fixed Payload gross weight calculation Fixed V-FP arming and activation Fixed Prop Brk READY light illuminated after switching on battery in cold & dark state
Update 23:15z 21June – The trailer has been set to private. We’re sure this will be shared again during FlightSimExpo. JustFlight have dropped a bombshell and shown off extensive work on their latest project – an Airbus A300B4 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The showcase came via the long renowned developer’s YouTube channel, where they describe the project as the company’s “next generation airliner”, and advertise features including complete systems functionality, multiple instrument panel configurations, multiple engine variants, 3D WWise sound set and realistic flight dynamics. Readers with long memories will remember JustFlight had previously been working on an A300 for P3D, but canned the project around 9 months ago on the grounds that it would be commercially unviable given falling P3D users. Instead, they shifted their focus to MSFS – with today’s video being the first major look at the newly revamped airliner. The A300B4-200 was Airbus’ first ever aircraft and represents approximately 25% of all A300s ever built. It typically seated around 250 passengers in a two class configuration, had a range of 2500 miles, and shipped with two engine options: the General Electric CF6 or Pratt and Whitney JT9D engines. Crucially to its commercial success, the plane was also the first ever to receive ETOPS certification, allowing it to traverse open oceans with just two jet engines. The developer says that the aircraft pushes the boundaries of what is possible and comes with the highest quality modelling and photo-realistic textures. Judging from what I saw in the trailer, these modelling and texture details do indeed seem to be of a high fidelity, but nothing we are not already familiar with in MSFS thanks to insanely detailed addons like the Fenix A320CEO. Following the trailer, we also get to hear from a staff member at JustFlight who tells us more about the plane. Right from the offset we hear the product aim reiterated – to push Microsoft Flight Simulator to its limits and deliver the most immersive airliner experience possible. JustFlight previously developed the A300 for P3D, and we find out that the origins of this model and the accompanying textures go back to that P3D version, although they have been significantly improved for the MSFS version. iniBuilds also developed an A300 for X-Plane 11 and they recently teased their “ultimate airliner experience” for MSFS with what appeared to be an image of a CF6 engine. This means we may be looking at some competition between the two studios should speculation that iniBuilds are porting their own A300 to MSFS be correct. Looking at the current state of the cockpit, it’s clear that most if not all of the modelling is done, but the cockpit textures still have some way to go – right now they only cover the pedestal and main flight displays as well as the autopilot panel. On systems functionality the JustFlight team boldly claim straight out of the gate that every single system will be modelled, including those which are operated from the flight engineer’s seat. Moving onto navigation, we have confirmed support for VOR to VOR navigation, RNAV, and for the first time in MSFS, a receiver INS (inertial navigation system) unit. This consists of sensors, normally gyroscopes and accelerometers, which measure changes in the aircraft’s velocity and acceleration. With that info, they can accurately determine the vehicle’s velocity, and with that it can also then work out where on the earth you are without the need for a satellite connection. These days, INS systems are typically used in conjunction with GPS and other systems for maximum accuracy and failsafe redundancy. Finally, the team again confirm that product will ship with both engine options and different soundsets for each, multiple instrument panel and autopilot panel configurations, an EFB with Simbrief and Navigraph integration, and “a plethora” of liveries. FSElite will be keeping you updated with further developments on JustFligh...
Hype Performance Group has suspended the sales of their recently released 747 Supertanker. The announcement of the team was made over on Twitter. The suspension of sales is effective immediately and the aircraft is currently not available for purchase anymore. The product page has also been taken down entirely. The team did not give a reason for the suspension, but co-founder and director Steve did inform us that they anticipate to explain the situation in a follow-up announcement soon. Customers that have already purchased the 747 Supertanker and would like a refund can request one from Hype Performance Group by contacting them directly. Although no details have been shared, this could indicate that the team will not continue to support the product for those customers, and does not anticipate it to go back on sale. HPG’s 747 Supertanker was released just a few days ago. It allowed customers to take control of a 747 Supertanker to help suppress and put out wildfires, as well as provide assistance with other ecological disasters. The plane was built upon the default Boeing 747 available in MSFS.
It is very likely that FlightSimExpo 2023 will be the show’s biggest ever year. With presence confirmed from the likes of Microsoft, Laminar Research, Lockheed Martin, Infinite Flight, PMDG, FSDreamTeam, Orbx, Parallel 42, Honeycomb, Thrustmaster, and many more, this is going to be a show full of news. Alongside the news, there will be lots of catching up to do with many developers asking them how things are going and what we can expect from them in 2023. As such, we’ll conduct a range of interviews throughout the show and share them with you afterwards. What to Expect from FSElite? Friday 23rd June 2023 We’ll be present in the seminar hall for the whole afternoon, bringing you live coverage of things as they happen. Our team will be on hand to bring you the latest news and information. The best way to follow it all? On our hub page, which will also feature our live blogging software. We’ll also have interviews from the likes of: Navigraph Parallel 42 Orbx TFDi Design Saturday 24th June 2023 The next day, the floodgates open to the show floor. We’ll kick off the day with a show floor tour at 10:00am (CDT). After that, our team will be busy speaking to the community and interviewing developers. Expect us to chat to: Thrustmaster Infinite Flight Blackbird Simulations MK-Studios Not only that, but we’ll also be handing out FSElite Magazine Issue #4 to those in attendance at the show. This is a FlightSimExpo 2023 exclusive. So if you haven’t got tickets and you -really- want our 4th magazine, then you’ll need to snap up whatever tickets you have left. Issue #4 features exclusive content with the likes of iniBuilds, GeoFS, FSDreamTeam, SoFly (new product announcement), and much more. Sunday 25th June 2023 The final day of the show will see us continue to provide you with the latest news and announcements from the show. Our final confirmed interview on that day will be with Laminar Research about X-Plane 12. Other Interviews Not content with just interviewing at the show, we have already interviewed a bunch of developers and community members. Over the weekend, we’ll be releasing additional ‘at-home’ interviews with: Virtual-Fly Just Flight Hype Performance Group Flight Control Replay Q8Pilot Just note that these interviews were done slightly ahead of time, but the content is going to be well worth watching. In Summary As you can see, the FSElite team will be busy during the weekend. But if you are at the show, please stop by and say hi. We can’t wait to share all this content with you all and we’ll do our best to cover the show as much as we can. Be sure to check out other media partners and streamers to so you can get a full range of content: Hellisimmer.com Chewwy94 SkyCommand Closed Traffic Podcast JetStreamRadio
FlightSimExpo 2023 kicks off in just a few short days and as per normal, FSElite has you covered. Our newly made FSElite @ FlightSimExpo 2023 Hub Page is now available and will be your one-stop shop for all the latest news and content that comes from the show. As a first class media partner, we’ll be bringing you all the latest scoops and exclusives direct to you. Back by popular demand is our Live Blog which all of our team will be using to keep you updated. It will feature quick snippets of information, behind the scene posts, videos, and plenty of pictures. We’re really excited to bring you the most amount of content planned for the show. Also on the page, you will find all the latest news, our schedule and also the latest video interviews from us. Head over to fselite.net/flightsimexpo-2023-hub, bookmark the page and join us live from Friday for all the latest from FlightSimExpo 2023. Did you know? You will be able to watch the Friday announcement seminar for free? Just watch via our Hub Page. FlightSimExpo 2023 Online If you are unable to join the show this year, you can still watch all the Seminars from the event. Registration costs just $15.00 and will give you access to all of the seminars and talks from the weekend. This exclusive pass will only be available to those who buy the online pass (and will be given to attendees of the show) so if you want to watch talks, then you will need to buy it. Click here to buy your online pass.
Navigraph have released a new update for their popular charts app which adds in the long requested feature of weather overlays. Accompanying the update, the Swedish team also published a detailed blog post talking through the many helpful additions to Charts 8. For starters, when users open up Charts 8, they will now see a new button in the top left of their map view which opens the new weather overlay feature. A bar will then appear along the bottom of the screen with ‘RADAR’ as the default setting. However, clicking on ‘RADAR’ will reveal a menu filled with new options. The RADAR option itself shows a real time view of precipitation and storm activity, with the option to playback weather from up to 2 hours prior to real time, allowing users to guesstimate the weather conditions along their planned route as the flight progresses. The AIRSIGMET / CWA tab displays areas of the map where potentially hazardous portions of sky can be expected. On my inspection, I was quickly able to see that thunderstorms up to flight level 420 (stop laughing) are forecast east of Paris this evening. Along with thunderstorms, the AIRSIGMET (AIRman’s METeorological Information / SIGnificant METeorological Information) also shows areas of potential turbulent air, icing, mountain obscuration, mountain waves (which I had never heard of before, they are apparently oscillations resulting from disturbances in airflow caused by mountains), and volcanic ash. Again, these AIRSIGMETs are kept up to date with real world conditions – fantastic for those of us who enjoy flying with live weather. Moving on there is a METAR feature, which shows up to date METAR information for all airfields that report this information. In the submenu, there are also options to toggle temperature, dewpoint, visibility, ceiling, and wind information at every aerodrome on the map that is reporting. The cloud ceiling feature will be particularly useful for pilots who enjoy low-and-slow VFR flight. After METAR, the next overlay is turbulence. You may recall this was already covered in the AIRSIGMET tab, although in that menu it is only shown as sections of airspace where turbulence has been reported or predicted. In this turbulence menu, the overlay instead depicts blobs where tubulence is likely based on current conditions. So, while it may not always be totally accurate, it does mean you can adjust your flight path accordingly should you wish to be extra cautious. The turbulence overlay also supports playback of up to six hours and predictions up to 32 hours ahead. In addition, there is also a toggle where you can select your desired flight level, allowing you to discount any conditions that might only exist above or below your planned route. Next up there is a very similar menu for icing, which depicts the severity to be expected as blue patches, with darker blues correlating to more severe icing. Then there is reflectivity, which as I understand it (although disclaimer I am not a meteorologist and might be wrong) is essentially another word for precipitation. It’s not as detailed as the radar view, although broadly the overlay shows reflectivity in the same areas where there is currently rainfall. This overlay also supports up to 6 hours of playback, and predicts up to 32 hours into the future. Cloud cover and ISA temperature overlays are also available and like the turbulence menu have support for depicting cloud cover at various flight levels, with the user able to depict cloud cover/temperature along their route in increments of 4 flight levels starting at FL020 up to FL500. There is also support for playback and predictions in line with the timescales shown on other overlays. Other overlays included in the update include those depicting wind barbs, the tropopause layer, the convective cloud top level, high cloud top level, visibility (and where it is reduced), MSL pressure, and jet streams. The update is now available to all existing users of the Navigraph Charts App who h...
Just in time for this week’s return of the Paris Air Show, the MSFS team has released City Update 2: France and Local Legend 9: Latécoère Model 631. City Update 2 City Update 2 is now available as a free update to all MSFS users and takes the scenery of 5 French cities, Amiens, Angers, Nantes, Nîmes, and Reims, to new heights. This update captures the unique architecture and historical sights found in all of the cities, making each the perfect spot for a sightseeing flight. On top of this, City Update 2 includes the iconic Paris-Le Bourget Airport (LFPB/LBG), the site of the Paris Air Show and the destination airport of Charles Lindbergh’s historic transatlantic flight. To experience all of this French beauty, ensure your simulator is updated to version 1.32.7.0 and download the update from the MSFS marketplace. Local Legend 9: Latécoère Model 631 Continuing the theme of French aviation, the team has also released the iconic flying boat, the Latécoère Model 631. This high-wing, six-engine aircraft was designed and manufactured by the Latécoère Corporation and first took flight on November 4, 1942. Prior to the introduction of the American “Spruce Goose” and British Saunders-Roe Princess, the Model 631 held the title of the world’s largest flying boat. Until the aircraft’s retirement in the mid-1950s, the Model 631 was the quintessential French aircraft to fly on. MSFS’ Latécoère Model 631 is available for $14.99 on the MSFS Marketplace and comes in 16 liveries to choose from.
Orbx has released their long-awaited rendition of Melbourne International Airport (YMML) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Melbourne International Airport, also known as Tullamarine Airport, is the primary international airport serving the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and is located approximately 14 miles northwest of the city centre. Opening in 1970 replacing Essendon Fields Airport (Orbx’s Home) it has since become one of the busiest airports in Australia and the second busiest in terms of passenger traffic. It is an airline hub for Jetstar, Qantas, Rex Airlines, and Virgin Australia and is one of the bases for the relatively new low-cost airline, Bonza. At present Melbourne has around 74 destinations in 20 countries with the longest route to and from Melbourne being Dallas Fort-Worth, at 7814 miles non-stop operated by a Qantas Boeing 787-9. Orbx rendition of Melbourne has been meticulously recreated and includes high-resolution PBR texturing throughout, interior terminal modelling of departure lounges, functional VDGS, custom animations, custom ground poly as of May 2023, crisp satellite imagery, custom ground clutter, custom POIs such as hotels, car parks and stores, LOD performance optimisation throughout, and a custom GSX profile by RW Profiles. You can purchase Melbourne International Airport (YMML) for Microsoft Flight Simulator from Orbx Direct for $34.95 AUD (approximately US$23.93 | €21,91 | £18.70). Features Detailed depiction of YMML airport Realistic custom ground poly reflecting layout as of May 2023 PBR texturing throughout Interior terminal modelling of departure lounges VDGS and custom traffic animations Crisp satellite imagery Custom taxiway signs and lighting Detailed recreation of Melbourne Jet Base with an interior and static model of the restored DC-3, Kanana 100s of cluttered objects Includes custom POIs such as the Airservices Australia compound, landside hotels, car parks, Maccas and Mercedes-Benz dealership with helipad The entire airport is optimised with LODs Includes a GSX profile by RW Profiles, Melbourne tour mission and C172 livery
Hype Performance Group’s Boeing 747 Supertanker for Microsoft Flight Simulator has been released at a price of $19.99. The 747 Supertanker is one of several aerial firefighting airtankers derived from various Boeing 747 models. The aircraft are rated to carry up to 19,600 US gallons (74,000 L) of fire retardant or water. They are the largest aerial firefighting aircraft in the world. The 747 Supertanker is equipped with a pressurized liquid drop system, which can disperse fire retardant under high pressure, or drop retardant at the speed of falling rain. The addon is based on the Asobo default Boeing 747 avionics suite, although with the coming AAU2 patch this should be less of a drawback than it has been previously. In the package you also get a tonne of custom sound and visual effects as well as a special custom made drop panel which you will use as you tackle out-of-control wildfires. There is also an option to have a King Air 350i as a lead plane that directs other AI controlled 747 Supertankers to mission targets. The team at Hype Performance Group also confirm in the product page listing that they intend to make the addon compatible with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 when that is released further down the line. It does not say whether there will be an additional charge for this port to work, though. You can pick up the HPG B747 Supertanker here.
PILOT’S has published a first teaser trailer of their highly anticipated De Havilland Canada DHC-7 aircraft, set to be released in the near future for MSFS. The DeHavilland Canada DHC-7, also known as the “Dash 7”, is a turboprop-powered regional airliner designed and manufactured by DeHavilland Canada in the 1970s. It was the first airliner to feature a high-lift wing design, which provided it with so-called “STOL” (short take-off and landing) capabilities. The DHC-7, first introduced in 1978, quickly gained popularity for its ability to operate in challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions while offering passengers a comfortable cabin with low ambient noise. One of the most notable features of the DHC-7 was its four Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-50 turboprop engines, which provided redundancy and increased safety. In later days, the aircraft also got equipped with advanced avionics, including a digital autopilot and weather radar. The DHC-7 saw scheduled commercial service by numerous airlines worldwide, including Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and Rocky Mountain Airways. The aircraft proved so successful and reliable that Hawaiian Airlines ended up constructing an airport on Maui, Kapalua Airport, specifically for the type. Despite its popularity, production of the DHC-7 ceased in 1988 due to declining demand for turboprop aircraft. However, many DHC-7s are still flying today, serving remote communities and operating in challenging environments. Well-known aircraft and scenery developer PILOT’S has released a first teaser trailer of their anticipated recreation of this famous Canadian turboprop. The trailer showcases both the inside and outside of the aircraft, including the numerous liveries that will be included with the product upon release. While the video ends by stating that the plane will be released in the near future, neither a formal release date nor a price has been indicated so far. We will, of course, keep you posted as to when the aircraft is eventually released.
Boundless recently announced their new airport scenery, Faro International Airport (LPFR) also known as Gago Coutinho Airport, for X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12. While no details have been released, Boundless did share some tasty screenshots of the airport on their Facebook page and stated that they are implementing brand new features and will be sharing more information in the coming days. The airport would make for an excellent addition for those that seek to add to their library of Portuguese airports. The airport serves the city of Faro, located on the southernmost tip of Portugal right by the ocean. Stay tuned for more updates on this airport as we await more information from Boundless. Until then, check out some screenshots below:
Sound pack developer Immersive Audio has dropped version 2 of their MD-80 Pro cockpit sound immersion pack for XPL12. This pack has been exclusively developed for the Rotate MD-80 Pro for XPL12. The McDonnell Douglas MD-80, more commonly known as MD-80, was a series of twin-engine aircraft developed from McDonnell Douglas’ popular DC-9 aircraft family. The MD-80 family was easily recognizable for their loud Pratt and Whitney JT8D engines that were located at the back of the aircraft. The aircraft type was produced from 1979-1999 and was eventually developed into the stretched MD-90 and shorter Boeing 717. There are currently over 100 MD-80 aircraft left in service. The version 2 sound pack builds upon the pack developed for XPL12 with 157 sound files that were recorded in a real MD-82 cockpit. All sound files were recorded at 48000khz, 24-bit quality, and play in true stereo to fully immerse flight simmers into the MD-80. The 157 files comprise of JT8D engine sounds, ground roll sounds, switches and button effects, wind noise, and more. You can purchase Immersive Audio’s MD-80 Pro XPL12 sound pack from the X-Plane store for $15.90. Owners of the XPL11 sound pack are entitled to a 60% discount on this new sound pack. In terms of future plans for Immersive Audio, CEO Predrag Drobac announced on social media that Immersive Audio is working on a JT8D sound pack for P3D/FSX and MSFS, with each aiming for a July and end-of-summer release, respectively. Beyond that, there are plans for a PMDG 737 for MSFS and Zibo 737 sound pack. Features – 157 sound files included. All sounds are replaced! – Authentic battery, standby instruments, rack fan and packs – Authentic bus relay – Various warnings – takeoff config, stall, engine fire, AP disconnect, altitude warnings, and many more. – High quality GPWS callouts & warnings, full TCAS. High quality GPWS callouts & warnings – Realistic nose gear ground roll sounds (specific for runway, grass and dirt),– Touchdown and gear extension and retraction sounds – Fully authentic nose gear airflow – Wind noise – Flap and speedbrake turbulence vibration rumble and cockpit rattle – High quality switches, buttons and levers – High quality and true to life representation of JTD8D engine sounds – Internal engine sounds include “Immersive” and “Authentic” versions with various volume level variants, so everyone can fit their needs – Tire skid & lock vibration & rattle
Orbx has released Mount Hotham Airport (YHOT) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Mount Hotham Airport, located in Victoria, Australia, is a small regional airport situated near the alpine resort village of Mount Hotham, approximately 220 miles northeast of Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria. Mount Hotham is Australia’s highest airport and primarily serves as a gateway for tourists and skiers visiting the Mount Hotham Alpine Resort, which is renowned for its winter sports and alpine activities. At present the only airline operating out of Mount Hotham is Airly, QantasLink formerly served the airport but ceased operations in 2011 due to heavy losses. Orbx indie developer, Mark “Milo” Taylor is the creator of this scenery who previously released sceneries under the name of MSX Creations. This rendition includes highly detailed texturing throughout, PBR ground and apron texturing throughout, a detailed terminal interior, custom objects, custom statics, hand-placed vegetation, custom animations and more. You can purchase Mount Hotham Airport (YHOT) for Microsoft Flight Simulator from Orbx Direct for $29.94 AUD (approximately US$20.57 | €18,77 | £16.04). Features Detailed ground and apron texturing Highly detailed terminal interior Extensive Custom Vegetation Custom animations: working clock, wind turbine, and many more Airport-specific static aircraft 140+ custom assets Full PBR texturing Designed by Milo Taylor
After a long wait, with a lot of previews and teases in between, Orbx has finally released the highly anticipated Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ESSA). The airport has been developed by Marcus Nyberg in collaboration with JetStream Designs. Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the main airport serving the Swedish capital city of Stockholm. The airport is an important hub in the Nordic countries, and the third busiest airport in the region. It serves as a hub for Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), and a focus city Eurowings, Finnair, Norwegian and Ryanair. Orbx’s rendition of the airport comes packed with details. From high quality vehicle signs to detailed passenger signs and terminal interior, there is always something new to discover or look for. The airport buildings and structures have been modeled in high quality, although we weren’t expecting anything else from Marcus and JetStream Designs. The airport also features animated jetways and a functional VDGS system. There are also nice weather influenced effects, such as snowbanks and snow trucks. Animated vehicles can appear influenced by the weather as well. Orbx’s Stockholm-Arland Airport is available for $34.95 AUD from Orbx Direct. Features Exquisitely detailed depiction of ESSA Stockholm-Arlanda Functional & correct VDGS for every stand Animated jetways Enhanced interiors for all terminals & SkyCity High-quality custom GSE & Clutter (optional) Animated vehicles with weather & time influenced appearance (optional) Weather-influenced snowbanks & snow trucks (optional) High-resolution mesh Included GSX-profile From acclaimed developers Marcus Nyberg & Jetstream Designs
Following the news a few days ago that the Cessna C182 RG II for Microsoft Flight Simulator was due to release sometime soon, it has now appears on the in-sim Marketplace for both PC and Xbox simmers. The Cessna C182RG II is a single-engine aircraft designed to deliver performance and adaptability. Building upon the renowned Cessna 182 model line, this variant features a retractable landing gear system, enhancing its aerodynamic capabilities. The C182RG II achieves a cruising speed of approximately 140 knots, a maximum speed of around 170 knots, and a range of approximately 900 nautical miles. You can grab it from the In-Sim Marketplace for $19.99.
6-months after its original release on PC, Flow Essentials has finally landed on Xbox. The utility tool developed by Parallel 42 was designed with the Xbox flight sim community at the foreground of their thoughts. Flow for Microsoft Flight Simulator brings a new intuitive and easy-to-navigate in-game interaction wheel that is configurable in almost an unlimited number of ways. Instead of using the default toolbar at the top of the simulator, Flow will allow you to control the sim using the interactive wheel which is based on modern design, usability, and customisation. If you want to learn a bit more about how Flow Essentials can improve your experience in Microsoft Flight Simulator, then check out the newest video released from the team. The video offers a quick-start guide on getting to grips with using Flow Essentials with the Xbox controller. Flow Essentials is available through the in-sim Marketplace for Xbox for $14.99. If you’re using Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC, you can pick it up through the Parallel 42 store, or on OrbxDirect. There is also a Pro version for PC that adds even more features such as access to streaming tools and the ability to make your own widgets.
The team behind Microsoft Flight Simulator recently shared some screenshots on Instagram of the Latécoère 631, which will be released on June 19th alongside City Update 2: France. Announced in the May Developer Update, the Latécoère 631 is a project originally requested by Martial Bossard, Executive Producter at Asobo Studios, and is being developed by BlueMesh. The Latécoère was a large transatlantic flying boat which by all accounts wasn’t very successful. Nonetheless, the aircraft was the largest of its kind back in the day and its status as a behemoth of a seaplane is nothing to scoff at. The aircraft will be available on the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace on June 19th, though a price has yet to be announced. Until then, check out some screenshots below:
With its longest paved runway at just under 700m, the beautiful Isles of Scilly have been brought to life in Microsoft Flight Simulator, with RealVFR’s latest release. With accurate depictions of the airport terminal, including realistic furniture and a tasty Cornish pasty, the team have also put a huge emphasis on the wider island detail, leading to a stunning reproduction of the archipelago off the south-west coast of the UK. With three landable lighthouses, a detailed rendition of Tresco Heliport and also the iconic Scillonian ferry, there is plenty for simmers to see. Additionally, night lighting has been optimised to make the islands pop in the evening, with the blinking of lighthouses out to sea there for pilots to look out for. The team have paid particular attention to the quality of the areas surround the airport as pilots make their final approach, saying they want to give pilots a ‘rush as you line up for finals.’, with the use of hi-resolution PBR textures and a detailed mesh. Boats have even been modelling to swing to the wind on their moorings. You can purchase a copy of RealVFR Isles of Scilly for MSFS from their website for £12.00.
The latest aircraft to touchdown in the ‘Take Command!’ range, RealSimGear’s DA40NG for XPlane-12 has arrived. The Austrian designed training aircraft features it’s very own customised Garmin G1000, a state of the art avionics display that has modernised general aviation aircraft around the world. RealSimGear’s aircraft is available to purchase in a retail edition for home use, or as part of RealSimGear packages for flight-training, commercial, and FAA approved BATD (basic aviation training device) uses. X-Aviation’s ‘Take Command!’ range of aircraft simulations represent a high level of flight simulation immersion, assuring customers of a ‘sophisticated, study sim level aircraft available for X-Plane!’ The DA40NG features a modified implementation of the X-Plane X1000, with custom engine gauges, system status information, as well as warning and caution annunciators. Noticeably, the DA40NG features intricate modelling details, with the team claiming to have modelled ‘every individual screw and leather stitch’. The aircraft also features a custom FMOD sound pack to enhance the realism of the plane. The systems of the aircraft have been accurately recreated, including the electrical system with circuit breakers and batteries having an impact on their respective components. The EECUs (electronic engine control units) are also modelled, enabling pilots to make use of the FADEC controlled engine operation. Furthermore, the cooling system for the engine and cabin heat exchanger is also simulated. Additionally, pilots are able to fly with custom tail numbers, with registrations being generated onto the aircraft liveries in the simulator. You can purchase a copy of Take Command!: RealSimGear DA40NG for $54.95 from their website.
The news of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 surprised many when it was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase earlier this week. The ‘next generation’ simulator promises to use all-new technology to build the most immersive and awe-inspiring flight simulator yet. The announcement then lead many to want to know how third-party content would be handled in the new simulator. Shortly after the announcement, Microsoft confirmed via an FAQ on their site that other than “a very few exceptions”, the vast majority of third-party add-ons will work just fine with the new simulator. Furthermore, add-ons purchased in the marketplace will transfer over to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Despite the FAQ, that hasn’t stopped some in the community from thinking that developers may have to change their plans or will now shift focus to the new sim only. To help circumvent that, many developers have taken to their socials to confirm what their plans are. Simply put, third-party developers are still fully committed to the current simulator, Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) and will bring content to the new sim as well. Of course, all of this information is subject to what the developer SDK is like, but based on public information, it appears that third-party developers need not worry about how their products will work in the new simulator. A number of third-party developers have shared their thoughts on socials. PMDG made it clear that the announcement does not change anything for them. Like everyone else, the announcement caught them off guard, but are pleased to see that the simulator continues to evolve. Rob from PMDG said, “to put the meat of my point right up front: None of the information we have been able to derive from publicly available sources lends us to believe that any change in our development agenda, product plans, pricing strategy or product release schedule is necessary.” He did caveat that by saying that the information out there at the moment isn’t “the sort of technical and specific detail that we need to make authoritative, specific promises to you, our customers, so our guidance at this time is based upon the overall message Microsoft appears to be communicating- and that message looks like “business as usual” to PMDG.“ Scenery developers like Flightbeam and Pyreegue Dev Co have also commented. Flightbeam said, that customers will not need to re-purchase products for MSFS 2024, likewise, you won’t need to do this if you buy products now for the current simulator. You will be able to transfer your licenses across. Furthermore Flightbeam, like PMDG, confirms that nothing changes in terms of the development schedule. Pyreegue Dev Co simply said that their products will be upgraded for free. Parallel 42, known for a mix of products in Microsoft Flight Simulator has also confirmed they were blindsided by the announcement. They know as much as us about the new simulator and platform. But they are keen to hear your thoughts on the product. With Microsoft and Asobo being in attendance at FlightSimExpo 2023, developers and community members alike will be sure to ask the teams for more information. And we’re sure that more developers will also come out of the woodwork to let the community know what their intentions are once more information is shared. For now, it appears to be a case of business as usual for developers, and the community should continue to go about their usual simulator habits and enjoy the current platform for what it is safe in the knowledge that products will more than likely be accessible for many more years to come.
The team at Mango has updated its Flight Factor 767 Sound Pack to version 2. The new sound pack improves on the original modification for the aircraft by adding new sound effects and updating some of the originals. The new pack first and foremost adds X-Plane 12 compatibility, meaning that you can now hear the Boeing 767-400 in all its glory on both XPL11 and XPL12. There is also new exterior start sounds for all three engine types, along with new flap, windmilling and button sounds. There have also been some bug fixes, including missing sounds from the X-Plane 11 version. All stores have been updated with the new version so you can grab your update from your original place of purchase. If you want to pick up the soundpack, you can get it from SIMMARKET, X-Plane.org and their own store for $15.99. If you buy direct, you can save a further 15% by using the code MAY15PER. Changelog X-Plane 12 Compatibility 767-400 included for Xp11 and Xp12 New exterior start sounds for all 3 engines.. GE, RR , PW New flap sounds New windmilling sounds New switch and button sounds Bug fixes Fixed missing sounds in Xp11
Aircraft developer Carenado has taken to Facebook to share some new previews for their C1§82RG II for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The developer said that the plane is very close to being released. The Cessna C182RG II is a single-engine aircraft designed to deliver performance and adaptability. Building upon the renowned Cessna 182 model line, this variant features a retractable landing gear system, enhancing its aerodynamic capabilities. The C182RG II achieves a cruising speed of approximately 140 knots, a maximum speed of around 170 knots, and a range of approximately 900 nautical miles. Carenado did not disclose any specific features, but we can see that the aircraft product has detailed exterior and interior modelling, plenty of detailed texturing, and also the ability to apply ground covers and other protective equipment when the plane is on the ground. As Carenado has really only released its aircraft directly via the in-sim Marketplace, it’s likely this will be the same case. With them confirming that a release it’s soon, it could very well be a part of this week’s third-party releases. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and let you know.
Munich Airport for MSFS, a collaboration between Simwings and Aerosoft, is the latest of an increasing number of airports released early on in the lifespan of MSFS to benefit from a ‘V2’ update. In a trailer posted on the AviationLads YouTube channel, we can see that the airport has received some updates to the terminal interiors, as well as a new working VDGS system, an Audi e-tron dealership, and upgrades to the Lufthansa maintenance facilities. However, the standout feature has to be the extension to terminal one, which has been under construction for the last few years. The terminal one expansion is still under construction at the real-world Munich Airport, and this is reflected in Aerosoft/Simwings’ scenery where it is depicted behind construction fencing and will thus be inaccessible to the player. Work is expected to complete on the extension by 2025 with the commissioning of the new area scheduled currently for the end of the same year. Beyond that, it doesn’t appear that much has changed. That isn’t to the detriment of Aerosoft and Simwings however; their Munich Airport addon still holds up very well to more recent international airport scenery despite its age. The V2 update for Munich Airport is expected to land some time later this week. It is not yet clear whether it will be free for existing customers (similarly to how iniBuilds added free updates to their Heathrow Airport), or charge for the update, potentially with a discount for existing customers (like what MK-Studios did with their Dublin V2). FSElite will update you when the update is available.
iniBuilds have announced that they will lift the lid on what they are branding ‘the ultimate airliner experience’ at FSExpo in 12 days time. On the team’s Discord server, MJ (who is a staff member at the addon developer) made the announcement while sharing a single image of an aircraft engine. The image has lead to speculation from all quarters of the community regarding what the new airliner could be. Our team of sleuths here at FSElite reckon that it’s a CF6 engine, which is seen across a wide variety of airliners including the Airbus A300, Boeing 747, 767, and MD-11. iniBuilds have previously developed the A300 for XPlane-11, along with the Beluga cargo transporter which is based on the A300’s airframe. This would make it a strong contender for the hidden identity of the ‘ultimate airliner experience’. However, iniBuilds do have a habit of pulling rabbits out hats and have surprised us many times in the past, not least with the surprise announcement of the AN-225 and A310 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. So we are not ruling anything out right now. What do you think the ultimate airliner experience could be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
MiniCockpit, the two-man team behind the MiniFCU which sold out on Kickstarter last week in a matter of seconds, have answered the community’s single biggest request and confirmed that the product will support the Fenix A320. In a tongue-in-cheek video posted on the team’s Facebook page, the developers of the prototype product (expected to ship to initial backers later this year) confirmed support for Fenix. They did not specifically say “Fenix A320”, which could be taken as an indication that, should Fenix Simulations release more A320-series aircraft in the future, then the miniFCU will also work with these aircraft. The product had previously been confirmed to work with the FlyByWire A32NX, the Microsoft/Asobo stock Airbus A320 NEO, and the Headwind A339X. It will also (presumably) support the FlyByWire A380X when that is publicly available. The full text of the announcement read: Your voices have been heard, here is the announcement you have been waiting for! miniCOCKPIT is proudly extending support to the highly requested Fenix 320ceo. While our support may be partial, focusing on inputs and annunciators (without number display), we are confident that this will bring joy to many of our valued supporters, while also respecting Fenix’s terms and conditions. If you feel there’s more to be desired, we encourage you to express your demand directly to Fenix. We are here, always ready and willing to engage in open discussions. Together, let’s make our voices heard and shape the future! The MiniFCU was made available on Kickstarter last week, with an initial batch of 1000 units available for a discounted rate of $99USD. This special launch day offering was obviously more popular than the team were expecting, as it sold out within 5 minutes. Additional tiers of pledge are still available, with the lowest cost pledge (the earlybird) available for $159USD if you would still like to express your interest in a unit. However it is worth noting that, as with all Kickstarter projects, pledges are not necessarily guarantees that you will receive a product in the event the company are unable to fulfill their side of the bargain for whatever reason, be it limited manufacturing capacity or solvency issues. That being said, the team shouldn’t be running into any cashflow trouble anytime soon given that they have already raised almost half a million USD. FSElite will continue to cover developments with the miniFCU in the lead up to products shipping!
After the surprise announcement yesterday of Flight Simulator 2024, community sentiment was divided, to say the least. While many seemed happy with the trailer and the seemingly new opportunities that MSFS2024 will provide, many others expressed their concerns about the future support of MSFS2020 and the longevity of the platform, as well as the support and compatibility for currently available third party add-ons. Microsoft has released a brief FAQ that aims to clarify these questions a little bit further. Though it does not provide in-depth answers or details about what’s been announced, or the availability and compatibility of specific third party add-ons, it does give a bit of an idea of what we can expect. As per the FAQ, MSFS2024 will be a completely stand-alone simulator. No upgrade or payment information has been shared yet. Microsoft also states that it will continue to deliver on the MSFS2020 roadmap, with content such as aircraft and avionics updates, city and world updates and more free DLC. The team will also continue to support MSFS2020 after the launch of MSFS2024, although the team did not clarify what support means in this context or in what capacity. Maybe the most important or burning question from the community was in relation to third party add-ons. On that topic, the FAQ states that “With very few exceptions, virtually all add-ons that work in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) today will function in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. Add-ons that were purchased from the in-simulator Marketplace will not need to be re-purchased in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024”. Though this statement does leave a little bit more to be answered, such as how add-ons might be impacted in terms of compatibility, or if developers need to provide updates for them to be compatible, it does seem like good news that Microsoft feels confident about the compatibility between the platforms.
During the Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft announced Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The newly announced title, coming in 2024, looks to expand on the 2020 release with a range of new features and types of flight. In the trailer, we saw the following new missions and features: Search and rescue missions Aerial Firefighting Helicopter cargo transport Air Ambulance Agricultural aviation Mountain Rescue Skydive aviation Aerial Construction Industrial Cargo transport Remote cargo ops VIP Charter services Air Racing Glider Pilot Scientific research Airship Tours Hot air balloon trips Executive Transport Service The trailer teased this as the “next generation of flight simulation”. This is a breaking story and we’ll update it when we get new details.
Flight Replicas de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth is now available for purchase on the MSFS Marketplace. The DH.83 Fox Moth was a successful small passenger airplane during the 1930’s, mainly in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The aircraft also saw some military use by several countries around the world. Flight Replicas’ DH83 Fox Moth is available exclusively through the MSFS Marketplace for €16,49. A feature list is not available at the time of writing.
After months of previews, Verticalsim’s Ontario International Airport scenery for MSFS has finally released. This is the developer’s 11th scenery for the simulator. Not to be confused with the province in Canada, Ontario International Airport (KONT/ONT) serves Ontario, California, a city located about 38 miles east of Los Angeles. The airport was originally operated by Los Angeles World Airports, the organization that operates LAX Airport. However, LAWA transferred ownership to the Ontario International Airport Authority in 2016. ONT Airport serves as a major hub for FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, and is also served by almost all of the major U.S. airlines, Avianca, China Airlines, and Volaris. Verticalsim’s rendition of Ontario International Airport reflects the 2023 version of the airport with custom jetways and taxi signs, accurate airport lighting, realistic terminal interiors, and more. The developer has also optimized LOD and used parallax in non-essential areas of the airport in order to maintain performance. Overall, this scenery provides flight simmers with a good alternative airport to the bustling LAX Airport. You can purchase your copy of Verticalsim’s Ontario scenery directly from their website for $19.99. The scenery will also be available on the MSFS marketplace in a couple of days. Features Accurate 2023 rendition of ONT Custom taxi signs Several animations (ASR radar, etc.) Use of parallax on non-essential areas to keep FPS LOD optimization to help maintain good frame rate Proper airport lighting (Wig-Wags, centerline lights, amber hold-shorts, etc.) Taxi/ATC taxi routing for your favorite traffic addons Custom Jetways w/gate & number placards
FlyingIron Simulations has set a release date for their anticipated Messerschmitt Bf 109. The aircraft will be out on their store next week, on June 14th. The MSFS Marketplace version will follow in a few weeks after that, likely pending Microsoft’s schedule. FlyingIron Simulations announced the development of their Bf 109 for the first time well over a year ago, in January 2022. Since then, the team has been steadily teasing and previewing more of the project with small development updates and screenshots up close and afar. The specific model of the Bf 109 that the team decided to model is that of the G-6. Introduced in early 1943, this model was powered by a DB 605 engine. It also housed new armament, resulting in the recognisable ‘Beule’ blisters. If any of the previous FlyingIron Simulation releases are anything to go by, the Bf 109 will be a highly accurate plane with custom systems, custom sounds and high quality modelling and textures. The team has also not set any indication of the price, nor shared a feature list.
Built upon the default MSFS Boeing 747, HPG has announced their 747 SuperTanker. This majestic queen of the skies will allow you to help suppress and put out fires with its tanker capabilities. The HPG team has significantly expanded upon the default Boeing 747 that MSFS provides, adding tanker systems, CPS system, a drop station panel, tanker monitoring panel and custom ground handling services. The 747 SuperTanker also provides a King Air 350i that can be controlled by you to lead AI controlled 747’s. The team has included numerous custom effects to enhance the immersion and create realistic looking operations and scenarios. These scenarios are powered by HPG’s built-in mission and missions editor. These range from random generated wildfires to oil spill cleanup missions anywhere around the world. Hype Performance Group’s 747 SuperTanker is set to release on June 16th for $19.99 USD.
Since the announcement that the Dutch-produced Fokker F28 Fellowship was being developed for MSFS, there have been regular updates as to the progress that has been made by the team at Just Flight. The latest of which, is an extensive video showcasing the plethora of custom sounds that will accompany the aircraft upon release. The 15-minute video showcases the various sounds that bring the aircraft systems to life such as the batteries, hydraulics, electrical pumps with differing sounds dependant on the particular electrical system being activated, bespoke sounds for switches and dials found in the cockpit as well as custom external sounds for engine start, APU, gear movement, flaps, speedbrakes and lift dumpers which all have custom sounds that enhance the flying experience. Alongside the sounds of the aircraft, the video also illustrates the level of visual detail that can be found in the Fellowship such as extensive wear and tear on the workhorse aircraft, animations for switch covers, moving chairs and armrests in the cockpit, cabin and external lighting and the many service doors and hatches, each with their accompanying custom sounds. Although no release timeframe has been mentioned, Beta testing is well underway for the Fokker F28 and the light at the end of the development tunnel is in sight. You shouldn’t have to wait too long to get your hands on the 85-seat classic jet and we will, of course, keep you updated as the release approaches.
Blackbird Simulations has released the home of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing of the United States Air Force: Beale AFB (KBAB). The 9 RW operates from Beale mainly with RQ-4 Global Hawk drones as well as the infamous U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane. Although Blackbird Simulations does not offer either of these aircraft, Beale AFB is still an interesting addition to your library to keep the virtual skies safe. It features accurate buildings and hangars with detailed modelling and (appropriately weathered) textures. There are several static aircraft present, including the aforementioned U-2 and RQ-4, but also T-38’s and KC-135’s with fitting support vehicles and ground equipment. Also included are animated objects and an animated ground crew. Blackbird Simulations’ Beale AFB is available for $17.99 USD from their website.
Flight Replicas announced their next project to be the Mk.Vb Spitfire just last month. The developer has now shared a few more previews of the upcoming warbird. The model shown particularly was originally a Mk.1b that was converted to a Mk.Vb later during its life. The previews show quite a lot of the plane. We get to see the cockpit quite up close, featuring a lot of detail. The modelling and textures seem to be of pretty high quality, and in general the development progress seems to be coming along well as the plane appears rather complete. The outside also features a lot of detail, with cannons, machine gun ports and more. Unfortunately, Flight Replicas did confirm that the Spitfire will come with the P-51 Reno soundset from Microsoft’s Reno expansion instead of a custom soundset that is more accurate and authentic to a real Spitfire. Flight Replicas’ P-40N features the same Reno P-51 soundset. Flight Replicas is the third offering of the Spitfire for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Other Spitfires available for the platform are Aeroplane Heaven’s Spitfire Mk.1a and FlyingIron Simulations’ Mk.IXc.
The release of Jacksonville International several weeks after its announcement marks FSDesign’s third Florida airport, after Pensacola International and Marathon International. For those that don’t know, Jacksonville International Airport serves both civil and military aircraft and is located in Jacksonville, a city in the north of Florida close to the border of Georgia, USA. The airport was originally constructed in 1965 to shuttle military personnel to naval bases in the vicinity. Aside from a plethora of civilian airliners flying in and out of Jacksonville, the airport also serves the 125th Fighter-Interceptor Group of the Florida National Guard (FANG). That means it’s not too uncommon to see F-15C and F-15D Eagle aircraft flying out of the airport alongside the typical airliners you would naturally expect. Naturally, FSDesigns brings this airport to life with high quality 3D modeling, custom PBR ground textures, terminal interior, dynamic lighting, and more. Check out the full feature list below for more detail. If you’re a regular on either X-Plane 12 or X-Plane 11, you can purchase the airport directly from simMarket for €15.99 or $17.09 (including VAT). Features High quality 3D modeling Fully custom realistic PBR ground textures Highly optimized terminal interior Custom cut high resolution ortho imagery Extremely optimized for FPS Accurate up to date airport layout SAM jetways with DGS Highly optimized 3D vegetation Accurate dynamic night lighting High attention to detail with wear and tear effects using the latest texturing technology
Your new stepping stone into Southeast Asia has been releasedSouth-East Asian scenery developer MFSG has released its rendition of Yangon International Airport (VYYY) for Prepard3D users to discover. Located to the north of central Yangon, a city known for its largely intact colonial core and the Shwedagon Pagoda, Myanmar’s most famous Buddhist pagoda, Yangon International Airport (VYYY) is the main gateway to the country for both tourists and business travelers alike, having seen more than six million passengers pass through its doors annually before the advent of the pandemic.The airport has seen extensive use as a military base during WWII, having served as an operating base for fighter aircraft, including Bristol Blenheim I bombers, Hawker Hurricane II, and the world-famous Supermarine Spitfire. After the cessation of hostilities, the airport was converted for civilian use.Today, the airport counts three passenger terminals capable of handling more than six million passengers annually. The airport serves as the primary hub for Myanmar flag carrier Myanmar National Airlines and numerous other local airlines. In addition to featuring a sizeable regional route network, the airport also sees service to further away places, including Dubai, Seoul, and, seasonally, Milan.Asian scenery developer MFSG has recently released its rendition of this essential South-East Asian hub for P3D users to discover. The product features an accurate recreation of Yangon International Airport (VYYY) based on the current airport layout, custom-created ground polygons, dynamic lighting, SODE jetways, and other features.For those interested in discovering a new South-East Asian destination, you can now purchase MFSG Yangon International Airport (VYYY) from the simMarket product page, setting you back €14.00 Exc. VAT.Feature ListDetailed Yangon International Airport 2022Autogen trees only over photoreal terrain (FS2004/FSX/P3D)Airport Groundpoly (FS2004/FSX/P3D)Tested with Standard Flight Simulator (FS2004 / FSX / P3D)Compatible with add-on AI trafficDynamic Light (P3Dv4 / P3Dv5)Static Jetway (FS9/FSX)SODE Jetways (P3D only)GSX Level 2 Jetways and profile (FSX/P3D)SODE Windsock (FSX / P3D)
The parachute equipped general aviation favorite gets a sound makeoverBoris Audio Works, the developer behind the well-received soundset improvement of numerous X-Plane 11 Cirrus SR22 aircraft, has released an improved soundset rendition for the MSFS default Cirrus SR22.The soundset improvement has taken the developer more than nine months to put together and uses more than 50 hours of high-fidelity recordings taken utilizing an industry-standard microphone. The developer also indicated that most of the sounds have been redone from scratch and that the soundset will receive continuous updates as time goes on.The soundset features, among others, redone interior and exterior engine sounds, avionics and ventilation fan sounds, ground roll sounds, and wind and cabin air vent whistle sounds.Boris Audio Works’ Cirrus SR22 soundset has been released and is available for purchase via the simMarket product page. The product will set you back €15.00 Exc. VAT.Feature ListInterior and exterior engine soundsAvionics and ventilation fansLevers, buttons, and switchesFlapsGround rollWind and cabin air vent whistle soundsDifferences of sound when on ground vs. in airAnd much more
DominicDesignTeam has released their rendition of Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport (KAUS) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The airport serves the Greater Austin metropolitan area, and is also a focus airport for Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines. The airport serves a number of airlines with destinations mainly in the USA itself, but also in North America and Europe.DominicDesignTeam has created a faithful and accurate rendition of the airport, with high quality modelling and PBR textures. The team has also created a hand-crafted pavement that includes realistic ground markings and imperfections such as dirt among other things. Also included are custom animating objects, such as passengers and airport busses.Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport by DominicDesignTeam is available for €18,99 from SimMarket.
Gaya Simulations releases an updated version of their Vienna scenery.Scenery developer Gaya Simulations took to social media to share the exciting news that version 2 of their Vienna scenery for MSFS has finally dropped. This update is a massive overhaul and addresses many of the issues users had pointed out with the previous scenery.Vienna International Airport (LOWW/VIE) is the primary international gateway for those traveling to the capital city of Austria. The airport serves as the main hub for Austrian Airlines and as a focus city for Ryanair and Wizz Air. In 2012, construction on the long-awaited Terminal 3 was finally completed, and it is now home to Austrian Airlines and its fellow Star Alliance members. Other future airport improvement projects include the refurbishment of Concourse D and the construction of a potential third runway.Gaya Simulations’ Vienna v2 builds upon the first version with a plethora of scenery object improvements. Most notably, new custom Vienna Airport-specific ground vehicles and custom jetways have been added to enhance the realism of the scenery. In addition, the AFCAD has been reworked, ensuring that AI traffic park in the correct locations and behave better in v2. Finally, Gaya Simulations honed in on the little details by adjusting the placement of fences and taxi signs, added the solar farm that is south of runway 11/29, and fixed many of the airport’s taxi lights.V2 of Gaya Simulations’ Vienna scenery is now available as a free update for existing customers in Orbx Central. For those interested in purchasing the scenery, Gaya Simulations is discounting the product by 30% until December 4. Lastly, for Xbox users, Gaya Simulations stated that the “Microsoft Marketplace and Xbox versions are to be released soon.”ChangelogNew true-to-life jetways models for all terminals with all new billboards and advertisingNew Gaya GSE: beautiful and fully custom Vienna-specific ground service equipmentOverhauled object placement throughout the airport, improving visuals and accuracyFixed AI traffic (FSLTL)Fixed AFCAD for AI trafficFixed taxi lights, including the addition of orange and blue lights in the W areaStatic AI removedFixed TIN/imagery bug from World Update 6Added solar farm south of Runway 11/29Added LODs to all objectsOptimized normal map sizes for Xbox compatibilityFixed missing parking positions and improved spawn positionsFixed vegetation to fit new satellite imageryFixed some terraforming issuesMany quality of life fixes, such as fence placement, jetblast fences, taxi signs, etc.Supporting an on release community-made GSX profile
The Embraer 175 is a highly sought after plane for any simulator and this is looking great already for MSFS.In a bit of a surprise announcement from our friends at AviationLads, we now know that FlightSim Studio has an Embraer 175 in development for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The news comes from a short first-look video shared by the video creator and highlights many exterior shots of the aircraft.Embraer created the series of E-Jets in order to transport up to 100 or so passengers over a distance of around 1800nm. The E175 variant allows for up to 88 passengers to travel in the small twin jet.In the preview video, AviationLads showcases the exterior model of the aircraft. We can see plenty of details around the wheels, the wing, and also engine animations. The aircraft is seen in various phases of flight, along with a number of liveries such as KLM, United Express, and also Alaska’s SkyWest Airlines.A new separate video will show off the aircraft’s systems and interior modeling. We’ll keep you updated on that in the future.
V Pilot Designs releases their latest American scenery for MSFS.Scenery developer V Pilot Designs has released Midland International Air and Space Port for MSFS, their third American airport scenery.Located in western Texas, Midland International Air and Space Port (KMAF/MAF) is unique as it is licensed for commercial aviation and spaceflight operations. The airport initially served as an army training base during World War II before being converted to a passenger airport in the 1960s. Today, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines connect the airport to their nearby hubs, with Southwest Airlines offering the most destinations. Midland International Air and Space Port is also home to the Pliska Airplane, the first airplane built and flown in Texas.V Pilot Designs’ rendition of the airport features accurate and highly detailed models of the airport terminal and hangars. In addition, the scenery includes custom jetways and PBR texturing on all materials. While Midland International Air and Space Port is a relatively small airport, the little details modeled in the buildings create an immersive airport experience.You can purchase Midland International Air and Space Port from the Microsoft Marketplace for both PC and Xbox for $14.99 USD.FeaturesHigh detail 3D modelsCustom jetwaysPBR texturesGround MarkingsFrame rate friendly
An already great stick is now available and compatible with Xbox. How does it compare and will simulation in the lounge be the way forward?Whether you’re a fan of it or not, Microsoft Flight Simulator is a firmly established title on Xbox. It cannot be denied how popular it is on the platform and as a result, deserves the attention of developers and hardware manufacturers. For years, Thrustmaster has been at the forefront of bringing a range of peripherals to the market, including numerous flight sim HOTAS equipment. Their latest release, however, is officially licensed by Airbus and gives those using an Xbox the chance to fly with a one-to-one replica of the blue and black sidestick found in so many Airbus aircraft.I reviewed the TCA Captain’s set a year ago on PC with multiple simulators. The question is, how does it work on Xbox and has the additional year brought about any improvements to the sidestick. Just to note, we were only provided with the sidestick to review, so we will focus exclusively on the stick.If you aren’t aware of what the TCA Sidestick X Airbus Edition is, it is an officially licensed product where Thrustmaster and Airbus collaborated to make a truly one-to-one replica of what a pilot would handle in the cockpit of an Airbus A320. From the colour palette to the ergonomics of the stick itself, it’s all been designed to give you that cockpit feeling at home. Of course, there are limitations to that design, such as the fact it needs a base, a cable and other controls in order to make it functional for the simulator.From an ergonomics perspective, it’s a really comfortable stick to use. The grip has a nice form factor, with the base of it designed to mold nicely around your hand as you rest it. I have medium-sized hands and I found the placement of the hat switch and accommodating buttons at the top of the stick to be fairly accessible. With such a nice chunky design, they’re easy to press, with each button having a nice clunk to them as well.In terms of moving the stick, there’s a good deal of tension between the axis’ as you move it around. I actually really like the range you can push and pull, along with a 20-30 degree twist providing a nice amount of smooth movement too. The stick uses Thrustmaster’s H.E.A.R.T precision technology, as it did before. This provides 16-bit resolution tech allowing for even the smallest movements to be detected.What I love is the fact that Thrustmaster has considered the lefties in the flight simulation community. The interchangeable controls take a few minutes to plug in, but once sorted, anyone can take charge of their flight stick. Of course, it’s not just for lefties, as perhaps you want to fly from a different perspective (First Officer instead of Captain), and with the configurable controls, you can do just that.Across the whole unit, there are 21 ‘action’ buttons, with 14 of them defined as remappable buttons. The others are the hat switches and a bunch of Xbox-related function buttons (e.g. home button, share, etc). If you have additional Thrustmaster hardware (say the extendable throttle and flap set), then you can plug that into the Sidestick X and then plug the stick into the Xbox for it to all function seamlessly. Many of these big functional buttons have Xbox letters on them (complete with the correct colour). Whilst this makes it obvious for Xbox owners who are comfortable with that set-up, I think I would’ve preferred a more subtle approach to it with perhaps a bit more of a stylistic choice. That’s purely an individual preference though.Bringing the hardware into the simulator, I’m really pleased to say that it really is a case of plug-in and play. Ensuring that the toggle on the back is set to Xbox, the simulator instantly recognised the stick and assigned everything correctly. I immediately tried out the hardware without adjusting any of the curves or sensitivity and felt that everything felt just right. I took the default A320 out for a few cir...
Freeware A320neo for MSFS includes plenty of improved systems including SimBridge support.Microsoft Flight Simulator’s freeware A320neo by FlyByWire Simulations has been updated to version 0.9.0, bringing a whole host of updates to ‘enhance the user experience’.Implementing major work across a variety of systems, such as the hydraulics, air conditioning and electrical systems, the update is now live for sim pilots.Furthermore, the update now means the aircraft supports SimBridge, allowing FlyByWire to ‘ulitize external systems more easily’, such as company route support and MCDU remote display.The full list of features are as follows:Brand new EFB with flyPadOS 3 bringing an expanded feature set and quality of life updatesRealistically simulated Flight Control Computers: ELAC/SEC/FDCD/FACMajor improvements to the FMGC resulting in better leg and navigation managementFully realistic hydraulics simulation across all aspects of the A32NXImproved logic, visuals and elements in the PFD, SD, and MCDUAir Conditioning System Controller connected to our custom electrical systemFurther CPDLC and ATSU improvements with new featuresFBW’s SimBridge external featuresCompany Routes Support (New)flyPad Local Charts Support (New)MCDU Remote Display (migrated from old implementation)External Printer (migrated from old implementation)You can read their full release notes here.
A highly requested feature to Orbx's flight tracker is being implemented.Orbx’s popular flight tracker app Volanta is getting a mobile companion app after Orbx administrators confirmed on their forums that the most requested feature from the community has now been created.The app, which is not yet available but ‘coming soon’, will allow users to conduct the same monitoring and tracking functions available in the desktop app. A remote pause option has also been added, which will allow users to freeze their simulator remotely in the event that their aircraft deviates from course or encounters some sort of anomaly.The app will feature the same smoothness and highly detailed map that users have come to enjoy on desktop, with overlays for VATSIM and IVAO traffic, airfields and sectors with a VATSIM controller already logged on, weather and terrain.Although it is yet to be seen exactly how flight simmers will use the new app, Orbx suggests in their forum posts that simmers who enjoy long-haul flights will now be able to leave their home while the flight is in cruise, and monitor it’s progress throughout the flight remotely. Another suggested use is for simmers to be able to quickly check with airports and sectors are staffed on VATSIM before planning their flight and launching the simulator, which is a feature I will be using before leaving the office in the evenings!Orbx says that the first version of Volanta Mobile will lay the groundwork for more features to come, and are encouraging the you to let them know what you would like to see in the app. You can send Orbx your comments here.Alongside the mobile app comes a general update to Volanta, which will now run as version 1.4. One of the big new features is a stream overlay, which Orbx believes will be of great help to anybody looking to get started with livestreaming their flights on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. The app already imports live data from the simulator to create a flight track, and now this data can be used to build a stream overlay. Volanta v1.4 will come with a stream overlay editor where users can customise their overlay’s font, colour scheme, and general layout to match their content branding.The built-in roster system introduced in Volanta v1.2 is also being expanded, which will allow scheduling your flights outside of the real-world schedule system. This will mean that users can plan out an entire day’s flight schedule in only a few clicks.Improvements have also been made to the Discord integration, which will now show the simulator being flown, as well as additional information such as current position and aircraft type.Finally, Orbx announced that the real-world schedules feature is now going to be powered by industry leader in the flight tracking space, FlightAware. This should bring higher quality data to more airports around the world, enhancing the accuracy of schedules and also allowing simmers to see the aircraft type being used on specific legs.A release date for Volanta v1.4 and Mobile has yet to be released, although Orbx says it is ‘coming soon’. FSElite will be the first to let you know when it drops!
TFDi Design has announced a pre-order sale for their upcoming MD-11, featuring a limited-edition variant of the plane.TFDi Design has announced a pre-order sale for their upcoming MD-11, featuring a limited-edition variant of the plane among other things. The team also announced an updated pricing structure for the release of the aircraft.The TFDi MD-11 is nearing the final stages of development of the plane, according to the developer’s announcement post. The release is scheduled for the end of September 2023.Pre-Order EditionOn December 1st at 1200Z the TFDi team is opening their pre-orders for the MD-11 Collector’s Edition. This collector’s edition will include the plane for both Prepar3D and MSFS, with both the base package, the freighter expansion as well as the extended simulation package. More exclusive to this pre-order sale however, is the MD-11 Extended Range variant. This variant of the plane will only be sold through the pre-order sale. Buyers of the Collector’s Edition also get a personalised certificate of sale with their MD-11 sequence number, access to the beta version of the plane, and access to an exclusive Discord channel where the TFDi team will share development updates.The TFDi MD-11 Collector’s Edition will be sold in a limited number of 1000 copies, for $80.TFDi MD-11 Collector’s Edition FeaturesThe TFDi Design MD-11 Base PackageThe Freighter ExpansionThe Extended Simulation PackageThis includes advanced failures and the in-flight instructor systemThe ER (Extended Range) VariantThis special variant will never be sold outside of this presaleGuaranteed beta accessAccess to an exclusive Discord channel where development updates will be previewed earlyA personalized certificate of sale showing your MD-11’s sequence numberThis will be unique to our customers – only purchased versions will be issued with a certificate!Updated PricingThe TFDi team has also updated their pricing strategy. Upon release, the base package will be available for $70. The freighter or passenger version, depending on which base variant you have purchased, will cost you an additional $10. The Extended Simulation Package, which will feature advanced failures and an in-flight instructor system will cost $5.Last but not least, the TFDi team shared some previews of the aircraft.
Slovakia's busiest airport arrives in Microsoft Flight Simulator.Slovakia’s Bratislava Airport, LZIB, has released in Microsoft Flight Simulator with Aerosoft’s latest release.Developer Pavel Movzer brings the two-runway airport that hosts a multitude if international carriers such as Ryanair, Wizz Air and flyDubai.The scenery features a detailed replica of the passenger terminal interior, animated cars and trains and even animated gates that open and close at the Air Livery hangar.You can purchase a copy of Aerosoft’s Bratislava for MSFS at aerosoft.com for €14.24 (excluding VAT).FeaturesAerial covering the territory of the airport, made in CGL formatA significant part of the 3D objects made with the LODs systemModels of lamps along the runway, taxiway, apron with lighting connected to themOriginal signs which are illuminated at nightDetailed passenger terminal with interiorAnimated passengers inside the terminal and on the territory of the airportDetailed logistics parks: Action DC Bratislava, DPD courier companyShopping centers located near runway: 04 Decathlon Pharos, BAUHAUS, SCONTO, SegumDHL delivery serviceDetailed customs building and Slovak air traffic control center LPS SRAnimated cars, train moving from runway 04Hangar and office building of Austrian Technik BratislavaThe Air Livery hangar is made with animated gates that open in the morning and close in the evening (at night, the hangar gate can be opened/closed by pressing the steering column)
Sun worshipers and treasure hunters rejoice - A new tropical destination awaits In a double surprise for fellow simmers, renowned scenery developer FSDG has released tropical La Romana International Airport (MDLR) for MSFS users to discover. Situated on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, La Romana Casa de Campo International Airport (MDLR) is one of the principal gateways to the island nation and its pristine beaches. The airport is approximately 68 miles (ca. 109 km) from the nation’s capital, Santo Domingo, and is counted among the country’s three busiest airports by passenger numbers. The airport is usually abuzz with numerous private jets taking off and landing on its runway, carrying their wealthy owners to and from the nearby Casa de Campo, the location of the island nation’s first official resort. In addition to being a focus airport for business aviation, the facility frequently sees European leisure carriers, including Condor and Neos, arrive at one of its seven hard stands. Famed scenery developer FSDG who recently released their rendition of Bremen Airport (EDDW) for MSFS, has also released their rendition of the Dominican Republics’ La Romana International Airport (MDLR) for virtual sun worshipers and treasure hunters to enjoy. The scenery, in addition to featuring a detailed virtual rendition of La Romana Casa de Campo Airport (MDLR), includes the usual features, including dynamic lighting and reflective textures, and has been optimized for great performance. FSDG’s rendition of La Romana Case de Campo International Airport (MDLR) can be purchased via the Aerosoft online store and will cost you €10.00 Exc. VAT. Feature List Accurate rendition of La Romana International Airport, Campo de Casa (MDLR) MSFS technologies (dynamic lighting, reflective textures,.) Static ships at cruise terminal included Optimized for great performance and visual results Compatible with all known add-ons Manual included
The single-engine very light jet is now available on the Marketplace First announced over a year ago Flight FX has released their SF50 Vision Jet G2 for MSFS. The developer promises that the popular VLJ has been recreated in stunning detail without sacrificing performance while still offering loads of options that simmers will be sure to enjoy. Flight FX incorporated Working Title’s Garmin G3000 avionics suite which has been augmented to include customisations and features to closely match the real aircraft’s Garmin Perspective glass cockpit. Updates include custom CAS messages, aircraft system synoptic pages, interactive checklists, and engine indicating system (EIS) display. Additional improvements are expected as Working Title continues expanding the capabilities of its G3000 product. The SF50 Vision Jet’s customisation options extend well beyond the avionics. For example, the SF50 features a dynamic registration system that allows the user to change the aircraft registration on the registration placard, aircraft livery, and other locations via MSFS’s built-in options. Further, Flight FX has included a V.A.M.S. (Virtual Aircraft Management System) page that utilises the Garmin Touch Controller screens to manage sim-related features such as static visual elements (aircraft cover, chocks, cowl plugs, etc.), luggage and seating configuration presets, and more. Lastly, a professionally-recorded sound set unique to the Vision Jet adds to the immersion. You can find the Flight FX SF50 Vision Jet G2 for both PC and Xbox on the MSFS Marketplace for $24.99 USD. Features Model tested by real-world Vision Jet pilots. A reworked and optimized navigation suite based off of the Working Title G3000 (included in the package). Custom V.A.M.S. (Virtual Aircraft Management System) that controls all aspects of aircraft status. Bose Active Noise Reduction system that can be activated right from the V.A.M.S. Three different seating configurations that match its real-life counterpart (Executive, Family and Complete). Custom-built Initialization Screen. Custom G3000 integrated checklists. Dynamic aircraft registration appears on placard, Primary Flight Display, aircraft storage cover, and chocks. Radio frequency IDs built into the PFD. Engine and Aircraft performance pages. Accurate interior/exterior lighting design, including the iconic courtesy lights setup. Accurate two-step start procedure synonymous to the Vision Jet. Revamped fuel reporting system to mimic the real-life aircraft. Selectable ground power unit with custom audio. Interactive luggage and loading system with prepopulated weights and trip selections. Custom emergency gear deployment system. Integrated CAS messages and audio warnings.
Boeing's latest long-haul widebody is confirmed to be on PMDG's to-do list Veteran flight sim addon developer PMDG has confirmed that the Boeing 777X is ‘in the plan’. In a post on the PMDG forums, user BWBriscoe mentioned that it would be “very cool for PMDG to launch a version [of the 777X] at the same time they start flying for airlines. Just a thought.” Within a couple of hours, Robert Randazzo, lead developer at PMDG, had replied to the post, writing “777X is definitely in the plan. We have some strong backing from the manufacturer in that regard as well”. Randazzo did not confirm which simulator(s) would be receiving the 777X, although as all payware addons seek to make a good return on investment, it would be reasonable to assume Microsoft Flight Simualtor as the largest commercial flight simulator will be first in line for any 777X addon. Another user, Captain Kevin, asked “So how do they get the flight dynamics and the performance for an airplane that hasn’t been certified yet?”, alluding to the fact that the 777X is yet to receive FAA certification. To this, Randazzo replied “Kevin- Same way we are getting them for [Boeing 737] Max”, alluding to PMDG’s strong relationship with US aerospace giant Boeing. PMDG has a long history of developing Boeing’s aircraft for flight simulators. Most recently, they have released the Boeing 737 in it’s -600, -700 and -800 variants for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with the NG3 variants also confirmed. The studio’s next major release is expected to be the Boeing 777 family for Microsoft Flight Simulator, which would be the first addition of a modern long-haul widebody airliner for the simulator at a high-fidelity or ‘study-level’ of detail in systems depth and modelling. Although unconfirmed, it has also been teased by PMDG that a Boeing 757 could be worked on for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with Robert Randazzo previously appearing on Asobo livestreams with a model 757 positioned behind him in frame. FSElite will continue to keep you updated with the very latest developments on this and all other PMDG news.
FSDG releases Bremen Airport, their most detailed airport yet, for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The German developer FSDG recently released Bremen Airport (EDDW) for Microsoft Flight Simulator, stating that it’s the team’s most detailed scenery yet – an exciting announcement for one of the most well-regarded scenery developers in the game. Bremen Airport, located in the Northern German city of Bremen, has beginnings that date way back to the early 20th century as an airfield conducting experimental flights. Both world wars caused the airport to halt civilian use but development started up again in the 1950s. Now the airport jets millions of passengers to and from airports all over Europe. FSDG’s Bremen Airport is highly detailed with fully customized airport vehicles and facilities, an ultra-realistic light environment, interior modeling, and much more. Check out the full feature list below. If you’re interested in adding a new destination to your collection of German airports, you can purchase Bremen Airport on the FSDG website for €22.61 (19% VAT incl.). Feature List Extremely accurate and detailed rendition of ‘Hans Koschnik’ International Airport, Bremen, Germany (EDDW) Outstanding level of detail with fully customized airport vehicles and facilities Ultra-realistic light environment and interior modeling MSFS technologies (dynamic lighting, seasonal changes, reflective textures) Compatible with all known add-ons including GSX and our Landmarks of Germany series Includes custom GSX profile for further airport enhancements Manual included
Just Flight provides an update and new screenshots of their latest AI traffic product. As Just Flight’s highly anticipated AI traffic product for MSFS, FS Traffic, nears release, the developer took the opportunity to provide another development update and new screenshots of the product in action. FS Traffic aims to be Just Flight’s most realistic and immersive AI traffic product while maintaining high FPS. The package will feature 48 aircraft models, over 700 airline liveries, and flight plan data from the past three years. In this latest development update, Just Flight stated that they have a “solid build” of FS Traffic as the product is running with all of the key functionalities in the simulator and Traffic Control Centre app. The beta testing teams have received this latest build, and the development team is now focused on addressing any bugs or missing features in this latest build. In addition, the team shared that the AI traffic now features the key animations and effects, including contrails, flaps and thrust reversers deployment, and wheel rotation. Finally, with the release of Sim Update 11, Just Flight has noticed improved taxi and takeoff behaviors in the AI traffic. However, there are some new issues that Just Flight is trying to iron out before the release of FS Traffic and has reported these AI-related issues to Asobo/Microsoft. While Just Flight has still not provided a release date, this development update and screenshots indicate that the team is making good progress on the product and that a release is nearing. FSElite will continue to monitor the development of FS Traffic and share any updates that may be provided.
Alaskan city's transport hub drops in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Don your winter woollies and pack a pair of gloves as you venture to Alaska’s Juneau International Airport in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Northern Sky Studio have produced their rendition of the vital transport hub located outside of the city that has no direct road access to the outside world. With routes within the state of Alaska and elsewhere in the United States, Juneau boasts a wealth of different flights for simmers to choose, whether that be 737 hops, seaplane flights or helicopter tours taking in the stunning vistas. The scenery comes with an accurate and detailed rendition of the interior airport terminal buildings, shading and occlusion effects on all buildings as well as full PBR. You can purchase your copy of Northern Sky Studio’s Juneau International Airport at Orbx.com for €17,27. Features The most detailed replica of airport buildings and vehicles Custom surroundings All materials created for full PBR Shading and occlusion (texture baking) effects on all airport buildings High-resolution building textures Use of native, highly efficient gITF models Custom orthophoto for the airport and surrounding areas
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Scenery developers BEAUTIFUL MODEL of the WORLD and AmSim have collaborated to bring us Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (KSEA) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (commonly referred to as Sea-Tac) is a large airport located 14 miles south of downtown Seattle and 18 miles northeast of downtown Tacoma, Washington, US. Opening in 1944, Seattle-Tacoma is the busiest airport in the Pacific Northwest and is owned by the Port of Seattle. Seattle-Tacoma serves as the primary hub for Alaska Airlines and has the airline’s headquarters nearby, Delta Airlines also has a major hub there. The airport is served by a multitude of different airlines with over 124 destinations in 19 countries, Seattle-Tacoma also has a large cargo hub regularly served by cargo carriers such as Amazon Prime Air, Alaska Air Cargo, China Airlines Cargo and FedEx Express. The longest route to and from Seattle-Tacoma is Singapore, at 5,008 miles non-stop operated by a Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900. In 2021 the airport saw 36.1 million passengers through its doors. BMWorld and AMSim’s joint rendition includes high-resolution texturing throughout, detailed terminals and surrounding buildings, terminal interiors, custom jetways, parallax windows, custom night lighting, statics and more. You can purchase Seattle-Tacoma International Airport from Orbx Direct for $33.99 AUD (approximately US$22.89 | €22,07 | £19.05). Features Animated Jetways Custom ground markings High-resolution custom ground textures, dirt and other details Surrounding buildings fully modelled Night lighting Parallax windows
First update for the A310 since its release. A relatively small update from the Microsoft team fixes several bugs with the simulator. However, the main focus of the update is the Airbus A310 developed by iniBuilds. Several issues have been fixed related to all kinds of different aspects of the plane, such as the textures, EFB, FMC, sounds and more. The update, which goes by version number 1.29.30.0, marks the first update after the release of the 40th Anniversary Edition just under a month ago. It’s also the first update for the A310 by iniBuilds, a plane that is quickly on its way to becoming a community favourite. Changelog General Bug Fixes Airbus A310-300 Known Issue Accessing the secondary flight plan without a primary flight plan entered may cause the aircraft to lock-up. Textures Parking Brake spelling fixed Some low-res textures improved on Base version Fixed flight deck cockpit sticker not moving with door Fixed TRIM wheel & yoke textures RAT is now animated (in cockpit only) EFB/IFE EFB – Added automatic METAR lookup based on To/From Airports EFB – Auto-populate Wind, Temperature, Runway Condition and QNH from the METAR EFB – Added manual METAR Search EFB – Added ability to enter numbers on flight planning page, as well as sliders for PAX, cargo and fuel (Click the text) EFB – Removed sound volume sliders IFE – Fixed erroneous ETA to destination Fixed OAT to return value not representation with live weather Fixed wind direction being filled with VRB which is not processable Sounds Master audio control is now through in-game settings Fixes to volume levels Fixed AI A310 volume levels being too loud Fixed AI A310 rolloff distance being too great Fixed directionality of APU noise Fixed audio at rear of cabin being too quiet Tweaks to interior attenuation Tweaks to engine sounds Tweaks to engine/apu start sounds and their event cues Tweaks to brake fan and packs system sounds Adjustments to ground rolling audio Improvements on sound bus routing to allow for more volume control in settings GPWS on the inside are now always sounding Improvements on AI sound Improvements on interior engine audio Improvements on switch volume levels FMC/Systems Fixed SimBrief import Fixed numerous FMS crashes Fixed TOD triggering too early, linked to approach phase starting too early, and SPD lim too early Fixed pressure system issue AP staying connected even when less than VLS -10 (Option in EFB now, if set to ON then AP disconnects at VLS – 10) “In a flight AP stays on even when getting bellow 100KTS; After take-off AP cannot be switched on bellow 100KTS” Fixed LW issue for imperial Magnetic variation added to RMI Enable SET AUTOBRAKE commands from MSFS settings for TCA Airbus quad Fixed VOR frequency in ILS box RSK a waypoint to VERT REV brings up VERT REV for the destination airport INIT B is now saying ZFWCG instead of CG Fixed pitot heat Fixed an issue with right wheel brake on some hardware Tooltips Hard coded aircraft type for external applications that were showing TT: Fixed spelling error in trivia text Chronometer tooltip fixed ND Brightness tooltip fixed Switches WX radar switch fixed Cameras Fixed Showcase QuickView4 under belly camera ATC Updated default livery ATC callsigns Lighting Cockpit lights toggled with L key bind Control Keybinds AP commands can now be bound to default key commands FMC/FMS Xbox fixed need to press A twice to enter characters on the MCDU Improved intercept calculation methodology on all SIDs/STARs FO VOR gauge animation fixed FMS Cruise Temp can now be edited Numerous FMS crashes fixed Dev Mode When enabling Dev Mode, a pop-up may appear which causes the sim to stop accepting input. Closing and relaunching the sim will cause it to accept input and the pop-up can be dismissed. This only occurs the first time Dev Mode is enabled.
Leonardo Software House updates Fly the Maddog X with new launcher, fixes, and features. The team over at Leonardo Software House released an update to their beloved Fly the Maddog X for both Microsoft Flight Simulator as well as Prepar3D. New installers were rolled out for both MSFS and P3D and is available on simMarket. Maddog customers can now download and run the installer which will update the airplane addon automatically while keeping any settings and liveries the same. Among numerous fixes for their MSFS version, the update will also include GSX Pro integration as well as the ability for Simbrief to automatically download the latest OFB from the onboard EFB. There are a number of additional changes so be sure to checkout the full changelog below. For P3D users, Leonardo Software House included a few modest fixes as well (we’ve included a separate changelog for you to check out). If you haven’t already purchased the Fly the Maddog X and wish to do so, it’s available on simMarket for €75.00 (excluding taxes). MSFS Changelog GSX Pro integration Simbrief integration for automatic download of latest OFP from EFB Fixed issue with autoland align mode Fixed issue that caused FMS in descent to slow down to 250kt below FL100 even if restriction was cancelled Fixed issue in Load Manager where in some cases routes created with the LM were not available as co-routes in the FMS Fixed issue with cockpit flood light Fixed issue with FMS not loading approaches in certain airports Cabin pax light dim when seat belt sign is switched on Improved holdings Added all missing ACARS pages Added weather clients for METAR/ATIS (VATSIM/IVAO) and CPDLC Added printing of ACARS message to physical printer or Pushover app OFP selection in EFB is now from a sorted list of files Fixed issue with effects in latest MSFS version Reworked contrails effect Fixed hole in the upper left VC window border Fixed issue with missing reflections on instruments glass Updated User Manual, Quick Guide and EFB Manual Added MDClient tray application to overcome limitation of the sandbox environment interacting with routes folder Moved PM calls and attendant voices to the ‘VOICES’ slider in MSFS Improved first-load MSFS compile time P3D Changelog Fixed issue that caused FMS in descent to slow down to 250kt below FL100 even if restriction was cancelled Fixed issue in Load Manager where in some cases routes created with the LM were not available as co-routes in the FMS Fixed issue with FMS not loading approaches in certain airports Improved holdings Added cross-compatibility with GSX Pro for MSFS
We got to experience a piece of aviation history during the Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Event. Microsoft Flight Simulator celebrating its 40th Anniversary is no small feat. There are only a handful of franchises in the world of video games that can say they have achieved such a milestone. In order to celebrate such a momentous occasion, a party was held in McMinnville, United States, with journalists, developers, and other special guests. However, this was no ordinary press trip as this was a celebration of a huge milestone. The 40th birthday party was held at the fantastic Evergreen Museum, which is truly fitting considering it’s the only place in the world where you can visit the Howard Huges’ Spruce Goose – one of the iconic historical planes included with the 40th Anniversary Edition. The museum itself is huge and a marvel to beyond. Spread across multiple hangers and outside exhibits, there’s an abundance of aircraft on display. These aircraft are from very different eras and all come with a rich history. Microsoft recognised that this place was special. Whilst there was plenty of time to fly the 40th Anniversary Edition ahead of its public release, it was organised for everyone to go on a tour of the museum and step inside the world’s only Spruce Goose. Our tour included a brief history of the Wright Brothers’ first successful flight, an insight into how the DC3 went on to sell thousands of units, and also learn how on two occasions, the pilot of the Spirit of St. Louis fell asleep twice during the Atlantic crossing to France. Even with as many exciting exhibits as the Evergreen Museum had, there was certainly one aircraft that quite literally eclipsed them all: the Hughes H-4 Hercules, aka the Spurce Goose. I am not kidding you when I say that it took up the entire hanger, leaving very little room at each end of the building. It made the DC3 and surrounding aircraft look like models that could be picked up and played with. I’ll be honest, prior to the event, I had not even properly heard of Howard Hughes’s flying machine, outside of the press release and videos seen from Microsoft in relation to the sim itself. I had no prior knowledge and information about it, but I came away from the trip fascinated with just how this thing was meant to fly. For those who may not be familiar with the Spruce Goose (just like me prior to the event), it has only ever had one pilot and only ever flown once. Just once and no higher than 25 feet above the ocean. In fact, it wasn’t even scheduled to fly the day that it did, so had Howard Huges not decided to have some fun and surprise the onlookers, it may have been the case that it would have never flown. Howard Huges likes to surprise people, I was told and on November 2, 1947, he did just that. After a few slow water taxi tests, Huges was then planning to do a high-speed taxi test. However, much to the shock of everyone, including his onboard crew, he lifted the Spruce Goose out of the water and flew for 30 seconds, before safely landing again. It was originally designed to support the efforts of the war by transporting cargo like tanks or weapons, or a vast number of troops. The war then ended and there was then no need for this aircraft to ever then enter service. The one at the museum is the one and only prototype aircraft ever made and there’s nowhere else in the world you can get up close and personal. I also learned a number of other interesting facts about the Spruce Goose: Its total wing space is just shy of 320 feet from tip to tip; the size of an American Football field. Due to the war, aluminum wasn’t allowed to be used so it’s primarily made of a wooden structure. 8 tonnes of nails were removed during the riveting process as the materials were stuck together by glue A team of people would sit behind each of the 8 engines with fire extinguishers just in case something went wrong. Huges was a germophobe and thus designed the plane to have fresh air sent throug...
Orbx Lamezia Terme Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Just a few days after their announcement, Orbx has now released Lamezia Terme International Airport (LICA) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Lamezia Terme International Airport is a medium-sized airport located just outside the city of Lamezia Terme, Calabria, Southern Italy. Opening in 1976, the airport has received a number of upgrades and modernisation work over the years including a new passenger terminal, a new apron and a runway extension from 2,414 meters to 3,017 meters. Today, Lamezia serves a number of low-cost, seasonal and charter airlines with over 39 destinations in 12 countries. The longest route to and from Lamezia Terme at present is Toronto Pearson, at 2,914 miles non-stop with Air Transat. In 2021 the airport saw 1,705,872 passengers through its doors. Orbx rendition includes an up-to-date airport layout as of October 2022, new runway extension and apron, detailed modelling of the terminal and surrounding buildings, high-resolution PBR texturing, custom GSE and airport clutter, custom AB 412 and Canadair CL-415 statics, performance optimisations for Xbox and more. You can purchase Lamezia Terme International Airport from Orbx Direct for $24.64 AUD (approximately US$16.37 | €15,85 | £13.71). Features Detailed modelling of the entire airport area Up-to-date (October 2022) layout including the new extended apron and runway extension Custom statics of AB 412 and Canadair CL-415 aircraft that operate at LICA Projected mesh ground poly Custom GSE and clutter Animated radar Custom taxi signs and approach lighting
Developers say backend EFB rewrite and visual upgrade is coming along nicely despite IAE setback. Progress has been made on the hugely popular A320 by Fenix Simulations, though the IAE engine variant of the airliner has seen an unfortunate setback, according to a post by their developers. Until now, only the CFM engine model has been available for Microsoft Flight Simulator users, but in a recent Reddit Post, Fenix Simulations’ Aamir revealed the conflict in Ukraine has seen the developer leading the IAE’s integration to be ‘without power and heating for days’, thus majorly delaying the team’s progress. However, the post did reveal that progress is being made elsewhere on the IAE side of things, with the implementation of fast lookup algorithms, which Aamir claims ‘makes the engine model math more performant by nearly 1000x.’. Additionally, the aircraft’s EFB is being rewritten, with over 400-hours having been spent rewriting the ‘underlying architecture to support the performance, scalability, and maintainability of the EFB’. The post highlights that although users will not see any visual changes in the EFB, it will enable future features such as ‘a more robust state-saving system.’ Finally, Aamir’s post provides an update on the substantial visual upgrade the A320 is undergoing, with the team’s artists completely rebuilding the visual model of the aircraft. Speaking of the enormity of the task, Aamir writes ‘it wouldn’t surprise me if we were the first to start active development of an airliner in MSFS back in 2019, before any art or development tools were available.’ The post goes on to add, ‘now MSFS has mostly matured and stabilised, it’s clear that we ‘undershot’ a little bit on this front and left a lot on the table. Dubbed ‘V2′ internally for the near total-rebuild, this will be a substantial, and free, upgrade to our A320 product; hopefully making it the benchmark for visual quality and accuracy.’ You can read Aamir’s full post on Reddit here. Be sure to check back to FSElite for further updates and announcements on the Fenix A320.
Lead developer of freeware C152 enhancement pack announces he is stepping back from the project N95JPL, who created and has now worked on a freeware Cessna 152 enhancement mod for over 2 years, has officially stepped back from the project, stating on their discord server that they will be terminating their work on the project effective immediately. In a follow up post, they informed users that the project will now be taken over by WeptBurrito, who eagle-eyed simmers may recognise as the driving force behind the WB-Sim Cessna 172 enhancement package. Although JPL had previously hinted at major new additions to the mod such as an EFB tablet, it became clear that the freeware developer didn’t have the time to fully implement these features. In its current state, the mod adds the option to fly the C152 with wheel fairings, as well as openable doors and windows, reworked flight dynamics, and a DME unit among other features. Despite several months without an official update to the stable branch, the mod has continued to enjoy extraordinary popularity with over 100,000 downloads. The mod’s discord server continues to be active and there was support for N95JPL as they announced their decision. Fortunately, I got the chance to ask JPL some questions about his decision to step back, and the future of the Cessna 152 mod. Interview with N95JPL, Cessna 152 Mod Developer For the benefit of those who are not already familiar with it, could you tell me a little bit about the history of your Cessna 152 mod? I began my C152 Improvement plan over 2 years ago now, based off the initial fixes that a GitHub user called “DRF30q” and “TheFrett” had made to fix some small issues with the planes default behaviour. At first we fixed things like the electrics behaviour such as adding the Alternator and actual baggage places for true weight and balance simulation, this quickly turned into a mass overhaul of most systems, turning it into the mod it is today! You’ve decided to step away from the mod now and handed over to WeptBurrito, who we know had already been working alongside you on the mod for some time. How did you get to know them? WeptBurrito has been a part of the development team for a long time now, we started chatting in May 2021 with his first pull requests coming in soon after that, since then he’s added countless amount of features on the internal code and other things like handling effects. His work and dedication is epic, I owe him a huge thanks for everything he has helped me with! When I announced that I was stepping down from leading the project, he was the first to jump up and take ownership of this wonderful project – I trust him with it, it truly is in great hands! I know a lot of people in the community will be sad to see that an established and talented freeware developer is taking a step back. As much as you’re comfortable with sharing, could you tell us a bit about how you’ve come to this decision? Over the last year, it’s no secret that Development was dialled down a lot compared to the previous. This was due to a number of factors mainly involving my personal life which was a combination of career workload and other personal projects I have had to focus on, free-time started to become stretched and I found myself in a situation where I wasn’t able to put as much time into development than I would have liked too. A few development gremlins also slowed down some aspects of the remodel (mainly porting the aircraft from Blender to MSFS) as the current Dev Branch has massive model changes, including 2 new types of C152 to choose from (I’m sure WeptBurrito will tell you more about that), this was no small feat and admittedly I should have broken the update down into smaller ones, in a sense I bit off more than I could chew which meant I wasn’t able to release smaller updates as the base mod itself was heavily “work in progress”. There are more goodies In-store too for our wonderful community! Lastly, could you tell us a bit about ...
First to the finish line with their Oslo Gardermoen scenery is JustSim. JustSim has released Oslo Gardermoen (ENGM) airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The airport, serving the capital city of Norway, is famous for its architectural look with the main terminal building being constructed mainly with wood, metal and glass. JustSim did not provide a feature list for the scenery, so the previews will need to speak for themselves. Oslo Gardermoen is currently also under development by both Orbx and Aerosoft. JustSim’s Oslo Gardermoen for MSFS can be picked up right now from SimMarket for €23,49. A version for Prepar3D will follow at a later date.
It’s been a few weeks now since the release of MSFS’ 40th Anniversary Update that put iniBuilds A310 in the hands of everyone using the sim. The team is committed to supporting the aircraft and fixing bugs as they are found, and they are currently working on a lights rework, such as the taxi and nav lights, and making sure the in-sim ATC comms work correctly with the A310. The team is also looking at several bug reports. Furthermore, performance improvements remain an important item for iniBuilds. People already using the latest beta, which is available by opting in to this, have noticed a FPS improvement with the plane, but optimisations on the product will continue. P-40F WarHawk Announced for FSWeekend in Lelystad, iniBuilds is finally sharing a little more about their upcoming P-40F WarHawk. In the development update, the iniBuild team lays out the release plans a little bit more. To start with, iniBuilds is aiming to release the aircraft sometime next week. Upon release, the plane will feature CFD in aspects of the flight, such as the prop, control surfaces and primary flight surfaces. The new fuel mechanics offered by MSFS will also be implemented. The EFB, with features such as maintenance, moving maps, radios and weather will be featured in the plane, but it can be toggled off as well and is not mandatory to use. The plane will also come with some animations to remove the cowlings and show off the powerful Merlin engine driving this plane. A full feature list can be found at the end of this post. The P-40F WarHawk is set to release at £19.99. After release, the iniBuilds team is already planning several updates to the P-40F. Patch 1, which is set to arrive shortly after release, will fix bugs that may have been found after the initial release. It will also feature “Phase 2” of the EFB, which will integrate basic ‘A to B’ route planning. Shortly after that, the team is anticipating Patch 2. Patch 2 will be a little more comprehensive, and come with several new features and changes to the systems of the plane. It will include fuel system improvements, including a drop tank. Ground handling will be overhauled in Patch 2 as well, and will specifically focus on simulating a tail dragger. Furthermore the patch will also include system deterioration, and as an example the team used oil changes. If this is not done on a regular basis, this will impact the temperature regulation of your oil. Last but not least, the patch will bring electronic pitch controls to the aircraft. Roadmap IniBuilds also shared a little insight into their 2023 roadmap. Although not too much can be shared at this date, the team did confirm that the A300-600F will be coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator. Currently undergoing a new exterior 3D model, the team will share more previews of this plane as it progresses. P-40F WarHawk Features (Release) Utilizing the latest in CFD implementation from Microsoft in aspects of flight including the primary flight surfaces, control surfaces and the propeller Authentically modelled Merlin engine, delivering true to life performance, curated with empirical evidence from pilots rated on type. Fully modelled and functional fuel system, utilizing the new fuel mechanics offered by Microsoft Flight Simulator Fully functional EFB – including maintenance page, moving map, radios and weather information. This is an optional feature, for those wishing to have a more authentic experience (EFB can be toggled off) Removable cowlings exposing our detailed Rolls Royce Merlin Model, in addition to removable gun bay covers or baggage compartments depending on the variant you wish to fly Authentic real world sound set from an operational P-40F Fully functional lighting both inside and out, including UV glow in the dark gauges and needles, allowing you to fly in all types of weather! Seven 4K liveries using the latest industry techniques, whilst maintaining an authentic style of the aircraft
See what the best deals are in flight simulation with our Black Friday Sales post. It is that time of year again when developers are offering large discounts on a vast number of flight simulation related products. We have done our best to scope out all the Black Friday sales available to you. Check out the deals below. As usual, if we have missed any, let us know so we can add them. We’ll annotate this post with any updates should we come across any additional sales. Last Updated: 25th November 2022 @ 12:30z – Initial List 4FlightSims Save 30% on their SkyElite for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Click here to check out the deal. Valid until November 29th, 2022. Aerosoft A large number of products from Aerosoft’s collection are now on sale. Enjoy up to 25% off a number of products including Tenerife Airport, Simple Traffic, Anchorage, Menorca and more. Check out this link for MSFS deals. There’s also a separate section for those looking for great X-Plane savings. Box.co.uk Massive savings on flight simulation hardware for UK customers. Box.co.uk are offering a range of flight simulation discounts to the point where you can buy the Honeycomb Bravo unit for £145.00. Thrustmaster’s TCA sidestick Airbus Edition is now just £29.99 and their Hotas Warthog stick and throttle is now just £309.98. There are plenty more deals to check out on their website. Contrail Up to 40% off a huge number of products in the Contrail range. This includes aircraft, scenery, and utility products from a number of stores. Offer is valid until November 29th, 2022. Click here to find out more. Currys Grab yourself an Xbox Series S for £189.00. An incredible deal that will allow you to get into flight simulation at an extremely affordable price. Click here to grab the deal. Drzewiecki Design Take advantage of the 50% savings that Drzewiecki Design are offering on their products. You can check out the full list of airports and products on sale via Aerosoft. FeelThere Save up to 50% on a number of products in the FeelThere range. Check out the full list of products on sale. Flightbeam Studios Big discounts await you for Flightbeam products as part of their limited-time sale. Save on sceneries like Auckland, Denver, Wellington, and more. Click here to discover the deals. FS2Crew Up to 50% off FS2Crew products. Great for anyone looking to have a virtual companion in the cockpit with them. Check out the sale here. FSDreamTeam Save 25% on a number of FSDreamTeam products, including GSX Pro for MSFS, Charlotte Douglas Airport, Zurich Airport, and more. Valid until December 1st, 2022. Click here to check out the sale. iniBuilds Up to 50% off a number of products from the iniBuilds store. This includes the A300-600, the A300 Beluga and the A310-300 for X-Plane. Offer is valid until 28th November 2022. Click here to find out more. Jeppeson2001 Save 35% on a Jeppeson2001 products, including their Hogwarts Express Steam Train. Click here to check out the deal. Just Flight A number of products at the Just Flight store are now up to 40% off. This includes the 146 Professional, the DC Designs Concorde, Real Taxiways, and many more. Click here to check out the deal. LivtoAir Save 50% on a both XtremeAir Sbach and the Chevrolet Corvette C8 from LivtoAir. Click here to check out the deal. MK-Studios Many of MK-Studios’ products are now 40% off. Check out the deals on both SIMMARKET and Orbx. Sale ends on November 29th, 2022. M’M Simulations Up to 40% off is being offered by M’M Simulations for their range of products. Check out their range on Aerosoft. Orbx Orbx is throwing a 40% off sale on a huge variety of their products. You’ll also collect Orbs for each purchase made. This deal is valid until November 29th, 2022. Click here to check out the deal. rkApps Save 30% on FSRealistic Pro for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Click here to check out the deal. REX If you’re keen to try out some of REX’s products, then this is a great chance to get 30% off their stuff. This sale include...
Navigraph's in-game panel may receive an update sooner than expected. After initially stating that the in-game panel for Navigraph Charts would not receive an update due to technical limitations, the team is now showing of an updated version of the in-game panel on Instagram. The limitations with the vector tile technology may apparently already have been solved a mere 16 days later, with the caption on the Instagram Story stating that the update will be ‘coming very soon’. The video itself shows a small preview of the new in-game panel with a visualisation of charts similar to that of the new Navigraph Charts 8.
Aeroplane Heaven continues to tease us with yet more Avro Lancaster previews. After the first set of previews from Aeroplane Heaven of their upcoming Avro Lancaster just over a week ago, the developer is now teasing us with a new set of previews. The previews once again get up close with the plane, showing it from more angles and showing some of the aircraft internals (that have yet to be textured). New in this update though are some previews of the ground equipment. An old fuel tanker can be found in the previews, as can several types of armament (bombs). No further status update was given on the development of the Lancaster.
Not one, not two, but three P-40's making their way to MSFS. Flight Replicas has taken to Facebook with previews and an update of their upcoming P-40N Warhawk. According to the update the development on the aircraft is about 98% complete. The development of the aircraft is back on track after Sim Update 11 initially threw a wrench in the works, and some code changes were necessary. Once the development is complete, Flight Replicas is ready to begin testing and start creating the manual. Flight Replicas is not the only one developing a P-40 at the moment. Big Radials has previously released a P-40B Tomahawk, and iniBuilds announced their P-40F Warhawk just a few weeks ago. Flight Replicas is working on the ‘N’ variant of the plane, which is a late war version that featured a stretched fuselage with a more powerful late-war Allison engine.
Orbx announces Lamezia Terme International Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Orbx is bringing Lamezia Terme International Airport (LICA) to Microsoft Flight Simulator, with the announcement being made on their forums. Lamezia Terme International Airport is a medium-sized airport located just outside the city of Lamezia Terme, Calabria, Southern Italy. The airport opened in 1976 and over the years has received a number of upgrades and modernisation work including a new passenger terminal, a new apron and a runway extension. Today, Lamezia serves a number of domestic and international airlines with over 39 destinations in 12 countries. The longest route to and from Lamezia Terme is Toronto Pearson, at 2,914 miles non-stop with Air Transat. In 2021 the airport saw 1,705,872 passengers through its doors. Orbx mentions they have taken great care to provide an up-to-date rendition of Lamezia Terme International Airport including the recent runway extension, new apron and the terminal’s unique design features. The airport will also include high-quality PBR texturing throughout and Xbox optimisations. No release date has been announced as of yet but make sure to stay tuned to FSElite for more updates. Features Detailed modelling of the entire airport area Up-to-date (October 2022) layout including the new extended apron and runway extension Custom statics of AB 412 and Canadair CL-415 aircraft that operate at LICA Projected mesh ground poly Custom GSE and clutter Animated radar Custom taxi signs and approach lighting Please note that these screenshots feature aircraft from AIG AI traffic.
The Polish developer's 17th MSFS scenery is now available for MSFS. Just over a month after the release of Girona Costa-Brava, MK-Studios has released Seville (LEZL) Airport scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Polish developers’ scenery has been listed on Orbx and a full product page is on the website which contains a feature list and screenshots from the upcoming scenery. Among other features, customers can expect to find: High-fidelity 3D modelling Detailed, true to life apron and surrounding textures Vibrant, hand corrected orthoimagery Custom DEM mesh Full PBR texturing Current ground layout for 2022 Realistic night lighting The scenery has also been optimised as per Microsoft’s standards for Xbox and PC usage. Seville Airport Profile Seville Airport (IATA: SVQ, ICAO: LEZL) (Spanish: Aeropuerto de Sevilla) is the sixth busiest inland airport in Spain. It serves the Western Andalusia region in Southern Spain. The airport has flight connections to more than 40 destinations across Europe, and serves as a base for the low-cost carriers Vueling and Ryanair. Seville Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator by MK-Studios is available on Orbx for $24.95 AUD.
Developer Majestic Software, known for their renowned Q400 for Prepar3D, has at long last confirmed development of their products for Microsoft Flight Simulator. In a statement made on their forums the team confirms that after two years of MSFS, and continued updates to the simulator and the SDK, they are finally able to progress with bringing their plane(s) to this platform. The Q400 is currently being ported over to MSFS, although the code for gauges and systems has to be completely rewritten. The team is hesitant to provide a timeline at this point of development, but the post does state that Alpha testing of the Q400 will not be started until the rewrite process has been completed. The Majestic Software team has also previously announced a Q300 (v2). This project will be done from scratch for MSFS. However, this process will not start until the Q400 has been successfully ported over. Last but not least, the team also made a statement regarding Prepar3D and continued development for this platform. Though the team is currently still supporting 32-bit platforms FSX and P3Dv3, the Majestic team has made it clear that further development for these platforms will no longer be done. Prepar3D v4 and v5 will continue to be supported although new development, such as additional features, will not be done. The virtual cockpit update that was promised a while back is still under development and will be completed for P3D. The team also stated that future P3D support will most likely depend upon customer demand.
DC Designs’ latest release adds yet another fighter jet to a steadily growing collection of such planes for MSFS. Their latest release brings us the legendary AV-8B Harrier II. The add-on features all three variants of the aircraft, those being the AV-8B, AV-8B Plus and GR9. The aircraft comes with a custom-coded VTOL mechanism that this aircraft is renowned for. The VTOL mechanism is claimed to respect realistic aerodynamic behaviour, taking factors such as the environment into account. In an effort to ensure compatibility, and no doubt inspired by some recent issues the DC Designs team has faced with sim updates that have impacted some other products of theirs, the Harrier has been built with native MSFS SDK ‘model behaviours’. This should minimise any issues that may arise in the future. DC Designs is available for €29,95 through Just Flight.
Microsoft's world update scenery partner releases status update on current projects. Gaya Simulations, who have been busy producing handcrafted airports for Microsoft Flight Simulator’s world updates, have shared more detail with the community on their upcoming payware sceneries, announcing Vienna 2.0 and updating us on other upcoming scenery projects. The developer and Microsoft Flight Simulator world update partner, whose social media channels had been quiet for 248 days, announced on Facebook that they are still going and have a lot in store or MSFS. The central announcement is Vienna 2.0, which sees Gaya going back and revisiting their existing LOWW scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Vienna 2.0 will also be coming to Xbox through the in-game MSFS marketplace. The full featurelist includes: More accurate and detailed jetways Added solar farm to the south of the field, beside the fire services training area Full compatibility with the FSLTL traffic injector addon Removed static aircraft Added LODs Large scale performance optimisations across the airport Fixed orthoimagery issues that occurred with the release of world update 6 Added blue and orange taxiway line lights at the hotel and foxtrot aprons Additionally, Gaya has been working on their own fleet of new ground services equipment (GSE) vehicles, which boast sharper textures and higher polygon counts than the existing vehicles in the scenery. These had previously been announced in 2021. Although not confirmed, it would be reasonable to assume that Gaya GSE will function as an asset library which can be carried across the other sceneries in development. Gaya Simulations’ Other Sceneries FSElite readers with long memories will remember that Gaya Simulations previously confirmed work was in progress to bring Munich, Stansted, Barcelona and several Greek Island airports to MSFS. The studio has confirmed that work is ongoing to bring these fields into the sim, however due to commercial reasons they are unable to share further details at this time. Finally, Gaya confirmed on Facebook that no work is in progress for X-Plane 12 at present, and neither are there any plans to begin development on Laminar’s platform.
Exciting new developments from Working Title, Orbx and the ATR-72 Dev team were all shared during the latest developer livestream The location of Microsoft Flight Simulator’s next World Update, along with a detailed roadmap for 2023, the next local legend aircraft, and exciting updates from Working Title and the teams working on Asobo’s ATR-72 were all revealed during Asobo’s most recent developer livestream where Jorg Neumann (MSFS Lead Developer) and Sebastian Wloch (Asobo Studios CEO) sat down to discuss upcoming features with the community. World Update 12 will focus on New Zealand, following the most recent update which enhanced scenery in Canada. The update is currently on course for a release date of February 7/8th 2023. As with previous world updates, Asobo has worked closely with partner studios to bring things together. WU12 is no exception, with Jorg mentioning on stream that Asobo have been working closely with Orbx to put together a new DEM mesh and updated aerial imagery for the islands. Jorg also confirmed that the island nation will have all new aerials and DEM data included within the update, along with 4 bespoke airports, 30 POIs, 6 photogrammetry cities, 3 landing challenges, 3 bush trips, and 3 discovery flights. There may possibly be more POIs and bespoke airports than what has already been mentioned, with Jorg saying “we’ll have four bespoke airports, maybe more, although we’re still talking to some folks”. 2023 Development Roadmap You’d be forgiven for thinking that after the hectic pace of development that MSFS has seen in the last couple of months that 2023 might see things slow down a little. However, Jorg quickly put that idea to bed as he unveiled a roadmap for future development in 2023. The roadmap reveals that we are due to see three world updates in quick succession in early 2023, with WU12 (New Zealand), WU13 and WU14 all due for release by the end of Q2 2023. Following this, three of the new city updates will drop, one per month, until August. A one month break in September will make way for world update 15 in October. Coming alongside the world and city updates are more local legends. At present Asobo have got a further 7 local legends lined up for addition to the sim, including the Caribou. The roadmap also reveals that another 7 famous flyers including the ATR family are due for release before Q4 2023, with the majority of these coming in the latter half of the calendar year. De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou Accompanying World Update 12 in February will be the 8th ‘Local Legend’ aircraft, and for the New Zealand update, Jorg and the team at Asobo have gone for the De Havilland DHC-4 Caribou. This aircraft is also being worked on in collaboration with Orbx. Few details were shared about the aircraft, although it’s confirmed that it will be available alongside the World Update on February 7/8th. Aircraft and Avionics Updates Eagle eyed viewers were quick to see a mysterious ‘AAU 1’ due for release in January. Jorg then introduced Matt Nischan from Working Title, who explained that in collaboration with Asobo, Working Title will be releasing several new ‘Aircraft and Avionics updates’ or AAUs throughout the year. It has been known for some time that Working Title have been collaborating with Asobo to improve the default avionics in the simulator. Their G1000 NXi has now been implemented as the default G1000 in compatible aircraft. And recently they have released a work-in-progress build of GNS430/530. Among other things, Working Title have added a VNAV calculation page, improved authentic visuals, a keyboard entry mode, and full GPS and SBAS simulation. That means the unit can now show the user accurate positions of satellites overhead which triangulate a position on the earth. Matt revealed that the first AAU, due for release in January, will implement the new GNS430/530 modifications into the base game, along with base game enhancements for the G3000/5000, CJ4, and Citation Longitude. CJ4 Overh...
Two weeks ago a part of the FSElite team visited Lelystad, the Netherlands, to attend FSWeekend. This is a flight simulator show that’s been organised already since the late 1990’s, and thus certainly an established name. Unfortunately the show had to be cancelled the last two years due to COVID, but luckily this year it was back on. Together with Jordan I look back on a weekend full of flight simulation goodness and highlight our personal favourites. Daan: I had previously attended FSWeekend in 2019, and after two years of not having any flightsim shows at all, I was very excited for this one. The location, the Aviodrome museum, is an amazing backdrop for this event. There are a lot of planes to see here, both outside and in. The museum takes you on a tour of aviation in the Netherlands, with Fokker and KLM being key drivers of that. But honestly, there was so much to see at FSWeekend, that I almost forgot about the museum itself. It was a great chance to see people in person that I haven’t seen in years, or meet ones I had thus far only met online. Jordan: From only attending the Flight Sim Show in Cosford, UK, a few times, my expectations of FSWeekend were fed from my past experiences at Cosford. Boy was I wrong. FSWeekend has a much more community driven feel to it than I expected, set in one of the most impressive aircraft museums I have visited to date with the majority of aircraft open to have a look inside rather than admiring them from the outside. The close-knit community feel stems from the abundance of small home-built cockpits to pockets of virtual aviation groups that give the event a much more personal feel to it than just having those larger commercial exhibitors. It gave me the opportunity to speak with great envy to the creators of some impressive bits of kit ranging from some custom-built GA panels to full motion platforms. As you drive into Lelystad airport, hidden under some trees sits a lovely looking red Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. An aircraft that I have only ever seen photographs of previously, so I rather excitedly pointed out to the rest of the FSElite team the aircraft sat by the side of the road as we drove in. You could imagine my further excitement when I spotted the replica of an F-104 cockpit sat atop a plinth with a fully clad RNLAF pilot strapped in flying low level. I spent some time in awe of the build as it was only using real world aircraft parts which only makes things more complex to get it all working with a simulator. It adds only the true feeling of being in the real-world aircraft that custom made parts cannot provide. Unfortunately, due to the complexity of the aircraft, I was unable to take to the virtual skies myself but I am secretly glad as I wouldn’t want too many people seeing how badly I ‘land’ my virtual aircraft. Daan: My personal favourite of FSWeekend should hardly be a surprise: iniBuilds with their P-40F announcement. Walking in to FSWeekend, they were the first booth that we really came across, and my first reaction was: “Hold on a second, iniBuilds hasn’t made a P-40. What is this?” It quickly became apparent that they had announced it just in time for FSWeekend, and I was very eager to try it out in a VR setup they had at their booth. It was a really cool experience, and made me super excited for it. After talking to their aircraft lead developer it very quickly became apparent how much passion and dedication they have for the projects they work on. The P-40 was obviously my personal favourite, but it also made me very excited about the other projects they have (and which by now, some of which are available in the sim through the 40th anniversary update). Another big highlight of the show was the FlyByWire team. This team has been operating in relative animosity, or at least, their developers have. The name FlyByWire has taken the MSFS market by surprise and has quickly become a household name. Tucked away in a corner was the crown jewel of their work on display:...
Verticalsim shares the progress on their Tampa Airport scenery for MSFS. After announcing a release goal of Christmas in late October, Verticalsim has dropped the first round of previews for their upcoming Tampa International Airport scenery for MSFS on social media. Tampa International Airport (KTPA/TPA) is a favorite for leisure travelers and serves as the primary gateway to Florida’s west coast. The airport is served by almost every major airline in the United States, with Silver Airways claiming the airport as a hub and Breeze Airways and Frontier Airlines claiming the airport as a focus city. In addition to the plethora of domestic services, Tampa International has recently seen an increase in transatlantic service, including Eurowings to Frankfurt and Virgin Atlantic to London. Because of the airport’s convenience, it consistently ranks as one of the top airports in the United States. In this post, Verticalsim reaffirmed its commitment to getting the scenery out to the public before Christmas. They went on to share some of the most recent work completed. First, the Airport Rescue and Firefighting station has received a complete revamp compared to the X-Plane version and now features an interior and parallax glass. In addition, about 90% of the airport’s signs have been modeled and textured. Finally, the new SkyCenter office building has been completed and also features parallax glass. Overall, these previews look very similar to the real-life Tampa International Airport and provide a good idea of what the flight sim community can expect in the coming weeks. FSElite will continue to monitor the progress of this scenery and share any updates that may be provided.
Orbx releases an update and photo previews of their latest MSFS scenery. Orbx developer Marcus Nyberg took to the Orbx forum to share some updates regarding the upcoming Stockholm-Arlanda scenery for MSFS. Stockholm-Arlanda Airport (ESSA/ARN) is the primary international airport serving Sweden’s capital and largest city. The airport is a major hub for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle but also is an important focus city for low-cost carriers Eurowings and Ryanair. The airport initially opened with two runways; however, an additional runway (01R/19L) was opened in 2003 to accommodate the airport’s growth. In addition to 27 million passengers that transited through the airport before the pandemic, Arlanda is home to a significant cargo operation. They are two big takeaways from this latest forum update. First, Jetstream Designs, a familiar name on the Orbx store, has joined the project. Second, evident by the photo previews, the project’s progress is “moving forward quickly.” The team has been able to complete one terminal pier per week and anticipates completing terminal 5 before the end of November. Essentially, many of the airside buildings are nearing completion, leaving the less-time-consuming landside objects and miscellaneous buildings to be completed. Furthermore, ground textures in this scenery should be a massive improvement over the current textures as ESSA will feature ortho imagery with high-resolution mesh. Previews of the ground textures should be released in the coming weeks. Lastly, ESSA will include new custom GSE items, many of which were featured in the Malmö Airport update. One note for P3D and X-Plane users, while ESSA v2 has yet to be announced for those sims, the team may revisit a P3D/X-Plane version after the MSFS release. FSElite will continue to monitor the progress of the scenery and any additional previews that may be released.
Aerosoft releases Airfield Bielefeld, a quaint German airport developed by Stairport Sceneries, for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Aerosoft’s large collection of German airports receives another addition with the recently released Airfield Bielefeld (EDLI) for Microsoft Flight Simulator, developed by Stairport Sceneries. This general aviation airport is located in the southern part of Bielefeld and is known for all sorts of activities ranging from gliders to hot air balloons, helicopters, and of course both general aviation and (small) commercial aircraft. Despite the satirical conspiracy theory claiming that Bielefeld doesn’t exist, it most certainly does within Microsoft Flight Simulator with Asobo’s photogrammetry rendition of the city. As a result, Aerosoft and Stairport Sceneries’ offering provides an enticing destination for any Bielefeld-doubters out there. Aerosoft’s scenery addon for Airfield Bielefeld (translated in German to Flughafen Bielefeld), includes original 3D models and PBR textures as well as custom lighting, static aircraft, and more. Check out the full feature list below. Aerosoft’s Airfield Bielefeld is available on the Aerosoft marketplace as well as on SIMMARKET for $9.99 and €8.36 (excl. VAT) respectively. Fortunately for those of you on Xbox, it should also make its way to the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace soon. Features Authentic replica of the airfield Bielefeld – Windelsbleiche Texturing based on more than 100 photos taken on site Detailed modeling including the tower interior Animated windsock and animated flags Custom lighting Custom created static aircraft Optimized for PC and Xbox
iniScene has announced their next scenery project: Detroit Metro Wayne County (KDTW) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The team has taken the feedback from their previous scenery, Los Angeles LAX, very serious, and implemented some new features and improvements in Detroit. iniScene has included several new features in Detroit, such as an animated train in the McNamara terminal, a fully animated Laminar fountain and GSE de-icing statics. These can all be toggled on or off depending on your performance requirements. The team did not yet share a release date, but the trailer and previews look very promising and we’ll keep you up to date. iniScene EGLL and KLAX Update The iniScene team is committed to all their releases, past and present. That’s why the team is happy to announce updates for London Heathrow and Los Angeles. The latter airport will soon receive an update that includes options to make the airport more performance friendly for those that have been struggling with this. London Heathrow on the other hand will see some significant changes with the team re-working some parts of Terminal 5. The ground poly and textures will also receive an update to bring them more in line with Los Angeles and the just announced Detroit. iniManager Scenery Options As mentioned before, the iniScene team has taken the feedback to their previous releases very serious. One of the more often outspoken points of feedback was the ability to customise sceneries. Either for personal aesthetic preferences, or for performance reasons. The iniScene team has done exactly that, and added several options to their Detroit scenery. Customers can toggle static aircraft, people and winter equipment. Similar configuration options will be extended to Los Angeles and London Heathrow. It is good to note that this functionality is available only when you have purchased your product through the iniBuilds Store. The team has created an order transfer page where you can transfer your product to an iniBuilds Store one if you so desire.
Discover this vintage aircraft. Golden Age Simulations has released its OTW-160 for Prepar3D v1-5 and also FSX. The Meyers OTW (Out To Win) was a 1930s United States training biplane designed by Allen Meyers and built by his Meyers Aircraft Company. The OTW-160 was the final production variant from the team. According to Golden Age Simulations, “The OTW was a conventional biplane with tandem seating for two in open cockpits and a fixed tailwheel landing gear. The prototype was powered by a 125 HP (93 kW) Warner Scarab engine and it first flew on 10 May 1936. The aircraft was produced in two main variants: the OTW-145 powered by a 145 HP (108 kW) Warner Super Scarab, and the OTW-160 powered by a 160 HP (119 kW) Kinner R-5 engine. Our representation is that of the Kinner-powered model 160.” Included with the plane is a high-quality model, high-definition texturing and a fully animated cockpit. There’s a bespoke sound package, user-controlled aircraft config tool and a number of liveries. You can buy Golden Age Simulations’ Meyers OTW-160 for $6.00 from the Just Flight website. Once their sale ends, it will usually cost $14.99.Features High quality, fully animated 3D model with four period-correct liveries 3D modelled gauges Fully modelled detailed Kinner R-5 radial engine High Resolution (4096 x 4096) DXT5 textures Fully animated VC with VC cockpit shadowing and smooth 3D modelled gauges User-controlled Aircraft Configuration Manager Custom VC sound package Volumetric propeller textures High Fidelity sound files Precision flight dynamics Fully animated pilot figures Custom installer for P3D (all versions), FSX and FSX:SE
FS2Crew for your PMDG plane is coming soon. FS2Crew has provided a brief update on what the status is with the PMDG 737 Edition of their multi-crew utility software. The team has been working with PMDG’s SDK to enable simmers to have a multi-crew experience with the 737, utilizing specific checklists, flows, and crew interactions. As with other FS2Crew products, it can be used either by voice control or button control, and will come with Boeing’s standard SOP with more to come in the future. Following feedback with the Fenix FS2Crew product, the team will be using human-recorded voices now for the release, rather than Azure Synthetic voices. FS2Crew say they are wrapping up internal testing now, before then handing it off to beta testers, which include real-world 737 pilots. We’ll keep you updated.
Developer Got Friends adds even more content to MSFS’ 40th Anniversary Edition. Microsoft Flight Simulator recently celebrated it’s 40th Anniversary with the release of the highly anticipated 40th Anniversary Edition, adding helicopters and gliders among a wide range of other features. The update also added a number of other aircraft, and in an effort to add even more features to the 40th Anniversary Edition, developer Got Friends has released the 40th Anniversary: Expansion Pack. The 40th Anniversary: Expansion Pack, which is available for free from flightsim.to, adds a number of new features to the newly added planes. It also updates the flight model and characteristics of some of the planes in a pursuit to make them more realistic and immersive. At current, the expansion pack includes new variants for the DHC-2 Beaver and Douglas DC-3, such as a DHC-2 Bush Wheel variant or a DC-3 Amphibious Variant with floats. Several animations and effects have been added or been made available otherwise, and the DC-3 has also received a custom flight model with different weight and drag limits, as well as additional fuel tanks. Got Friends is working on adding even more features to the expansion pack in the future, and the page currently lists that a JATO (Jet Assisted Take-Off) variant for the Douglas DC-3 is under development. The developer is also looking for feedback from the community for more features to add. Features Chapter #1: Expansion Features DHC-2 Beaver: Added 35″ Bush Wheel Variant (Includes All Liveries) DHC-2 Beaver: Added Water Spray Effect to Amphibious Variant DHC-2 Beaver: Added Hide/Unhide Option to Tablet DHC-2 Beaver: Added Start-Up Combustion Smoke Effect to All Variants Chapter #2: Expansion Features Global: Added “40th Anniversary” Effects Dependecies as Stand-Alone Effects DHC-2 Beaver: Added Ski Winter Kit to Standard Wheel Variant (Option on Tablet) DHC-2 Beaver: Added New Custom Snow Physics when Skis are Attached DHC-2 Beaver: Added New Bush Tail Wheel to 35″ Bush Variant DHC-2 Beaver: Added Low Fly-By Dirt Effect Douglas DC-3: Added New Amphibious Float Variant (Includes 2 Liveries) Douglas DC-3: Added Custom Flight Model, Weight Limits, Drag Limits, and Additional Float / Fuel Tanks Douglas DC-3: Added Water Spray Effect to Amphibious Variant Douglas DC-3: Added Start-Up Combustion Smoke Effect to All Variants Douglas DC-3: Added Wheel Landing Effects to All Surface Types on All Variants Douglas DC-3: Added Water Rudder Switch (Replaces External Power Switch on Amphibious Variant)
Miltech Simulations has issued the first update for their recently released MV-22B Osprey. The update, which goes by V1.0.1, fixes several issues with the plane. It fixes several texture issues, some system issues have been resolved and there are also a few changes to the flight dynamics. The update is available through Orbx Direct. Changelog Texturing Improvements (Interior) Liveries tweaks for quality and realism Engine overtoque under normal flight condition Interim power (PFD/FLIR) now has colored visual queues to avoid overstressing the engine (blinking red for caution, yellow for high RPM, green for normal) Adjustments to how torque/throttle kicks in (instead of a sudden kick of power at around 50% torque) APU Coming up too fast (adding a delay of a few seconds) Flapaileron Animations Fixed Aircraft suddenly drops several thousand feet (when converting above 8000ft)/problems with Conversion operations/takeoff at altitudes greater than 8000ft. Aircraft accelerates as pitch angle is increased Oil Temps drop with engines running from 270deg Celsius Adjustment to Instrument view to make APU accessible
ToLiss previews new features coming to their Airbus aircraft. Recently, ToLiss took to social media to announce two very exciting additions coming to their Airbus aircraft in the near future: an electronic flight bag (EFB) and controller-pilot data link communications (CPDLC). Both of these new features are designed to improve the realism of ToLiss’ aircraft. With technology’s rapid development, EFBs and CPDLC are now becoming the standard on commercial aircraft. An EFB is an electronic device used in the cockpit that allows pilots to easily view navigational charts, conduct performance calculations, and more. Typically, pilots will use a tablet, like an iPad, or some aircraft, like the Boeing 787, feature EFBs built into the cockpit. On the other hand, CPDLC is a communications system that allows pilots and air traffic controllers to communicate via message instead of talking over a radio frequency. This system is often used for issuing clearances and assigning radio frequencies. ToLiss’ EFB will have a plethora of functionalities, including loading checklists, conducting performance and weight and balance calculations, requesting METARs, and managing the aircraft’s payload and doors. Essentially, most operations that could be done through ToLiss’ ISCS can now be done with the EFB. However, the ISCS will still be available should pilots need to use it instead of the EFB. Finally, ToLiss’ CPDLC system will be based on the Hoppie network and allow flight simmers to request their clearances just like real airline pilots. While ToLiss did not provide an exact date for the release, they stated these new features will be coming to the A340-600 “soon” and will be added to the A319 and A321 afterwards. If you wish to purchase one of ToLiss’ Airbus aircraft for X-Plane, you can do so on SimMarket.
Just Flight shares further progress on their Dutch-built airliner. Earlier this week, Just Flight shared a development update for their Fokker F28 Fellowship for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Since the last update in October, the development team have been busy adding the finishing touches to the exterior modelling and texturing of the aircraft. Other additions since the last update include fully working passenger doors, cargo doors, safety cones and wheel chocks. Just Flight mention that the majority of the visual work is very much complete and is now simply undergoing further testing. Just Flight also mentions that the aircraft is now in a flyable state with all animations, cockpit instrumentation, annunciators, and basic systems now working and that the aircraft has been handed over to its flight model and sound developers. Extensive coding work on the F28’s unique systems is also in progress with the team collaborating with ex-F28 pilots, training and engineering crews to make this as authentic an experience as possible. Once the flight model, sounds and systems are complete Just Flight aims to release some videos showcasing these features. There is still no release date confirmed as of yet but make sure to stay tuned to FSElite for further updates.
The Emerald Isle's crown jewel gets a makeover Orbx has released their latest addon for Microsoft Flight Simulator- Dublin City Landmarks. The pack follows in the vein of previously released city landmark addons, such as those for London, Paris and Frankfurt. This latest Orbx addon for Microsoft Flight Simulator features more than 60 points of interest with physically-based rendering (PBR) textures and night lighting. In addition, Orbx have gone in and cleaned up the existing autogen buildings in Dublin, slightly altering their placement, size and shape where necessary to create a highly realistic version of the city’s skyline. Orbx have also added Dublin’s iconic double-decker yellow busses, which will cross the main bridges of the River Liffey. Orbx also keenly point out that the addon package has been stress-tested to make it as performance-optimised as possible, using modelling techniques which are efficient on often limited computing power. Orbx’s Dublin Landmarks pack is available now for $17.98 AUD on the Orbx website and the Orbx Central content manager.
The long awaited release of Voice Unicom comes to IVAO Users of the virtual air-traffic network IVAO can now broadcast to each other over the radio without the need for an air-traffic controller, as the long awaited addition of Voice Unicom functionality has now been implemented. The new Voice Unicom functionality comes with authentic radio sounds and effects to maximise the realism that sim-pilots will enjoy on the IVAO network. IVAO is one of several online virtual air traffic networks that function as traffic injectors for simulator users. With the use of a 3rd party injector client, anybody connected to the network will be shown as a model in the simulator of every other pilot within a specified radius. Additionally, users wishing to function as air-traffic controllers can connect with top-down radar programs and use the network’s live positional and altitude data to maintain aircraft spacing and assign vectors for approaches over a simulated radio frequency. With the addition of Voice Unicom, pilots connected to the network will be able to signal their intentions to other nearby pilots without the need to leave their simulator and type in a text window the message they would like to broadcast. Instead they can now speak at the push of a button, as they would if a controller was logged on who covered the relevant airspace. In an article posted by Jack Plumb on Virtual Sky, IVAO go into greater detail about the new systems underpinning the new Voice Unicom system. These include dynamic range computation, which ensures that only other aircraft within a given radius (depending on the strength and power of the radios aboard your own vehicle) will be able to receive and/or transmit communications. As the distance between two aircraft increases, the quality of the voice messages sent through the radio will decrease. In addition, the impact of local terrain has been factored in. Two aircraft broadcasting on Unicom that are within the radius to hear each other, but where terrain obscures the path of either’s radio signal, will not be able to communicate until a direct line-of-sight can be established. With these features, IVAO say that the days of hearing crystal clear audio from all aircraft, no matter their range or situation, are over. The team over at IVAO have been testing the feature for over three months and the final product, which is now available, will continue to be improved with the help of the IVAO community. Voice Unicom requires the use of IVAO’s Pilot Client, Altitude, with version 1.12 or newer. You can download it here.
Caen Carpiquet Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Scenery developer France VFR known for their Airports FRANCE and VFR Airports range has brought us Caen Carpiquet Airport (LFRK) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Caen Carpiquet Airport is a small regional airport located just under 4 miles west of Caen in the region of Normandy, France. The airport opened in 1938 as a French airbase until it was captured by the Luftwaffe in 1940 subsequently being used as a rear airbase during the Battle of Britain. Following the Second World War, the airport was rebuilt and opened for civilian use in 1967. Today, Caen Carpiquet offers domestic flights with Air France and Volotea within mainland France and the French island of Corsica. The airport saw 227,168 passengers through its doors in 2021. France VFR’s rendition of Caen Carpiquet includes high-resolution ground textures and aerial images, photo-realistic 3D terminal and surrounding buildings, custom vegetation in and around the airport, realistic night lighting and more. You can purchase Caen Carpiquet Airport from SimMarket for €8.25 (Excluding VAT) here. Features High-resolution ground textures reworked aerial images from IGN. Detailed ground markings. Photo-realistic 3D buildings specific. Vegetation reworked on the platform and its surroundings. Realistic night lighting was reworked. Runway profiles (slopes) reworked. Compatible with our VFR FRANCE product range. Geo-referenced data for maximum compatibility with future add-ons installed in the same area. Development process 100% SDK (System Development Kit) specifications compliant, ensuring maximum compatibility with new releases. SIA – VAC – IAC – APT – ARRDEP charts are provided.
A new site to explore is coming soon. Update 15-Nov-2022: Cedar Mountain is now available to buy from OrbxDirect for $12.00 AUD. Parallel 42 is back with another scenery package that will give bush flyers a cool place to explore and visit. This time, you will be able to discover Cedar Mountain (42CM), but you will need to watch out for the 1,500ft drop at the end of the runway. “Cedar Mountain for Microsoft Flight Simulator rests at 7538ft atop the similarly named Cedar Mountain. The southern end of the runway ends with a terrifying 1,500 feet vertical drop! Altitude is a factor, so plan your aircraft and arrival accordingly.” The trailer above showcases what you’ll be able to do with the ‘scene’ once it does launch for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Expect a release via OrbxDirect and the in-sim Marketplace soon.
Visit Warsaw in Fly 2 High's latest airport release for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Poland’s busiest airport, Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA), makes its way to Microsoft Flight Simulator with the recent release of Fly 2 High‘s latest add-on. The Warsaw Chopin Airport, which was originally founded in 1934, started as a hub serving many international passengers. It quickly became a base for the Polish Air Force before becoming a battleground between the German Army and Polish resistance during World War II. At the time it was named Warsaw-Okęcie Airport due to its location in the Okęcie neighborhood. It was only in the early 21st century that it was renamed to Warsaw Chopin Airport, named in honor of the famous composer and former Warsaw resident, Frédéric Chopin. The airport is now brought to life in MSFS by Fly 2 High in what is sure to please anyone looking to fly in Eastern Europe. Check out the feature list below for what to expect from this rendition of a historical airport. If you’re interested in visiting Warsaw for your next flight, be sure to pick up this airport on simmarket.com for €16.80 (excluding VAT). Features Working VDGS Docking Systems with Aerosoft VDGS Modules Highly detailed scenery Terrain terraforming with PBR materials to build realistic glass and surfaces Custom aerial photo for the airport Detailed animated jetway models Custom static vehicles and objects
Aeroplane Heaven has broken the silence regarding their upcoming Avro Lancaster. Aeroplane Heaven has been pretty tight-lipped about their Avro Lancaster that was announced earlier this year. With many wondering what had happened with this project, especially as the company also went silent about their DC-3, which later turned out to be a part of the just released Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Update, the team has finally broken the silence on this this project with a single preview over on their Facebook page. Where last time the previews showed nothing but some up-close renders of the aircraft, the plane now seems fairly complete and is flying. The post itself suggests as much, by saying you will soon be able to fly ‘the legend’ in MSFS. However, with the lack of an exact release date it remains anyone’s guess as to how soon that will be. Update: the Aeroplane Heaven team has shared a slew of previews after the initial one which you can now all find down below.
Boundless releases their latest Scottish scenery for X-Plane After releasing a trailer on social media, scenery developer Boundless has released Inverness Airport for XP11 and XP12. For those unfamiliar with Inverness Airport (EGPE), it is located in northern Scotland and is considered to be one of the UK’s most northern airports. The airport mainly services major hub airports throughout the UK, with a handful of European international services. However, the airport’s short 6,191-foot runway means that service is limited to regional jets and the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft families. There have been talks about building a new passenger terminal to meet anticipated growth, however, an official plan has yet to be announced. Boundless’s rendition of Inverness Airport features the real-world layout of the airport, PBR materials on the buildings and ground textures, static aircraft, and more to fully immerse pilots into this challenging yet beautiful airport. For those using this product with XP12, you will be able to see rain and other weather-related effects on the ground textures depending on the season. Finally, Boundless included the Dalcross Helipad, located next to the airport, as an optional download in this package. You can get your copy of Inverness Airport directly from Boundless’s website for £12.99. Real-world airport layout Up-to-date, HD ortho imagery 4K photorealistic textures PBR ground and building textures Dynamic night light based on real world color tones 3D hedges, grass, trees, and vegetation Nearby homes and farms modeled Rain and seasonal effects on ground (XP12 only) HD, PBR static aircraft (general aviation & airline) Custom HD PBR vehicles (airside and landside) Fully accurate ground markings, including accurately modeled cracks/wear & tear
Located in northern Iceland, located on the delta of the Eyjafjörður river lies Akureyri Airport, and ST Simulations latest release for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Despite the limited size of the airport, it serves the fifth largest municipality in Iceland and is an important connection to other parts of the country. It’s also visited by a small number of European airlines with seasonal destinations in Europe. ST Simulations has accuratel modelled the airport terminal as well as some of the buildings that can be found at or around the airport, such as the Icelandic Aviation Museum Hangar, custom static aircraft (DC-3, DC-6), custom hangars and other airport buildings. The textures are highly detailed and feature PBR, and the runway and apron have been recreated realistically with appropriate and accurate markings. The team has also added terraforming to the airport for elevation adjustments. ST Simulations’ BIAR Akureyri Airport is available for €10,99 from SimMarket. Features Akureyri Int. Airport Terminal Model Accurate runway and apron The Icelandic Aviation Museum Hangar Custom Static Aircrafts(DC-3,DC-6) Custom Hangars Many Airport Buildings Highly Detailed Textures, Physically Based Rendering (PBR), Reflective and Realistic Textures Realistic and Highly Detailed Representation of the Airport Realistic Runway and Taxiway Markings A lot of custom objects, models and details for the environment It includes intensive terraforming works.
Discover the US' highest commercial airport in all-new detail. UK2000 has entered the US airport market again with the release of Telluride Airport (KTEX) 2022 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Claiming that they were ‘disappointed’ with the hand-crafted custom airport included with the sim, they went ahead and made one they say is more accurate. Telluride Regional Airport is around 6 miles south of Telluride town on Dove Creek Mesa. With an elevation of over 9,000ft, it’s the highest commercial airport in the US. The airport comes with a range of features including fully detailed airport buildings, realistic ground markings, high-resolution ground imagery and accurate night lighting. Check out the trailer above to see more. You can buy Telluride Airport from the UK2000 Scenery website for £9.99. Features Full detail Buildings Realistic Ground Markings Hi Res ground image Stunning Night Effects High details Airport Vehicles Excellent Frame Rates Full set of signs Fencing Vegetation PBR Materials Internal Tower details Optional Static aircraft Internal Building details and Open Hanger
We tried out the helicopters, the A310 and more at an early preview event. By now, many of you will have started the process of downloading the new 40th Anniversary Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator. This new free update comes jam-packed with a whole host of new features, aircraft and airports to expand your virtual world. Similarly to the Game of the Year Edition we saw in 2021, the 40th Anniversary Edition is all about a bit of celebration. Any franchise hitting its 40th anniversary is a huge milestone and Microsoft and Asobo are keen to celebrate. FSElite was very lucky to be invited by Microsoft to celebrate the huge milestone at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville. During this event, we were treated to a presentation from the developer, a series of interviews, a tour of the museum and plenty of hands-on time ahead of the formal release. There’s a lot to unpack with the 40th Anniversary Edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator, so let’s dive in on what the actual update brings. The first thing I tried out were the gliders. A different type of flying I never thought I would want to really do, but what a load of fun it was! With the gliders you have the choice between either the DG Aviation DG-1001E neo or the DG Aviation LSB-18. Both of them have been developed by Flight Sim Studios, who already have experience with creating gliders for the sim. However, having full support makes them even more fun and real to fly. Once you’ve picked what glider to fly, you can then also select how you wish to get airborne. In addition to using an AI-controlled Cessna 172 to take you to the skies there are also three different winch systems that will propel you. Regardless of your option, you always have to start by moving your rudder to let the sim know you’re ready to go. To assist with keeping the glider straight during the initial movement, a 3D animated character (known during the event as Jimmy) will run alongside you until he can keep up no more. It’s a nice touch that those who have used a glider before will surely appreciate. In the air, I released the cable and flew around following the sound of the Audio Variometer, which was essential in order to stay in the air and maintain speed. Actively seeking out the thermals is best done on a warm, sunny day. To assist, a new option in the weather menu will allow you to visually see thermals, giving you the best chance to enjoy your glider flight. After some trial and error, I was confident in my ability. This is the first iteration of what gliders will become in the future. The implementation here is already a great base, but there’s more to come in the future. I asked Martial Bossard, Executive Producer, if in the future the tow-plane can be manually controlled, to which he said “yes, in the future.” This would open up really cool possibilities in the future and make for some cool multiplayer experiences. You can also use the forests and terrain to help give you that much-needed momentum. Even in my short time, gliding was really fun and it’s going to give me a totally different take on discovering some of the more scenic areas of the world. On the other end of the flying spectrum, the 40th Anniversary Edition brings with it the Spruce Goose. It has such a unique story as we learned from Tyson Weinert from the Evergreen Museum. He explained how Howard Hughes surprised the world by taking off the gigantic aircraft during a period of testing when it was supposed to be just for water taxiing tests. But once airborne, Hews spent time learning about the plane and how it handled in the skies before then tweaking it in the hangar. The Goose itself is a unique plane, having only ever flown one time. Now preserved by the Evergreen Museum, it has been digitally recreated for Microsoft Flight Simulator. It’s been completely modelled for the sim and it will certainly be fun to see these flying around in multiplayer. It’s freaking huge and simply eclipses anything around it. In ...
Fenland Aerodrome or Fenland Airfield may be slightly remote, but that didn’t stop the Burning Blue Design team from covering it in their latest release. In true Burning Blue Design fashion, with a great amount of attention to detail, atmosphere and accuracy. The airport features over 70 custom 3D objects, and 10’s of thousands carefully placed (stock) assets. The ground textures have been colour corrected for enhanced realism. The airport also features control tower and hangar interiors, animated hangar doors which open during set times of day, and static aircraft that you can find at the real airport. Burning Blue Design’s Fenland Aerodrome can be purchased for £8.95 from their website.
LatinVFR releases their latest American airport scenery for MSFS. After teasing a preview on social media, scenery developer LatinVFR has finally brought their Baltimore/Washington International Airport scenery over to MSFS. Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (KBWI) is a major hub for beloved low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines and is one of three major airports serving the Baltimore and Washington D.C. areas. In 2005, the airport was renamed from “Baltimore/Washington International Airport” to its current name to honor Thurgood Marshall, the first African American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite being a Southwest Airlines fortress, the airport has slowly added key transatlantic services, including British Airways to London-Heathrow and Icelandair and PLAY to Reykjavik. LatinVFR, like in its P3D scenery counterpart, has put a lot of work into the terminals’ modeling and exterior features. The scenery depicts the most up-to-date layout of BWI Airport, and all the airport buildings and ground textures were created using PBR materials. In addition, numerous ground vehicles and airport equipment are scattered throughout the facility for added realism. All and all, with the little details at each of the different terminals, it is really easy to get immersed in this scenery. You can get your copy of LatinVFR’s latest scenery directly from their website for $16.99 USD. However, if you purchased LatinVFR’s BWI scenery for P3D, you can get a discount on the MSFS version using code KBWIMSFS. Features Handmade and detailed PBR ground markings and textures according to the most recent airport situation Handmade, realistic terminals, cargo buildings, and airport buildings using MSFS PBR materials Usage of parallax materials on buildings Realistic airport lighting Customized and enhanced jetways Accurate airport gate/parking to current real-world airport layout
Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport is now available for X-Plane. Scenery developer Xometry Design has released Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport (KOKC) for both X-Plane 11 and 12. Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport is a medium-sized airport located 6 miles from downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US. The airport first opened in 1911 as Oklahoma City Municipal Airport but later changed its name in 1935 to “Will Rogers World” in memory of a famous Oklahoma native killed in an aeroplane crash in Alaska. The airport is home to The Oklahoma National Guard and also has a large Federal Transfer Center located on the west side of the airport, used as a terminal for transporting prison inmates. Will Rogers is served by a number of domestic airlines with 24 destinations across the US, Southwest Airlines currently offers the most routes. Xometry Design’s rendition includes high-resolution texturing throughout, detailed terminal and surrounding buildings, custom SAM jetways and marshallers, realistic wear and tear, HD colour-corrected ortho imagery, custom vegetation and more. You can purchase Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport for X-Plane from the iniBuilds store for £17.99 (Excluding VAT). Features Detailed rendition of Oklahoma City Will Rogers Airport (KOKC) High-resolution ground textures Custom SAM jetways and marshallers Detailed buildings Disassembled aircraft parts PBR normal maps Realistic wear, tar, cracks and stains Includes Ortho4XP patch Accurately placed custom buildings and custom clutter Custom night lighting Custom taxiway edge lights High-resolution colour-corrected and edited ortho imagery Accurately placed realistic vegetation (3D grass, bushes and trees)
The long awaited and highly anticipated Navigraph Charts 8 update is now available. After much anticipation, the talented team over at Navigraph has released their 8th rendition of the Charts app. Navigraph Charts 8 features a range of new as well as updated features. Route planning has received a major overhaul. Not only is there a new visualisation for your planned route, but Charts 8 makes it easier than ever to create or change your route. You can drag and drop your route onto waypoints, having them quickly snap in place with a magnetic snap-to function. Procedure visualisation provides and easy way to give you an overview of available procedures for the runway or transition you’ve selected. Airport and terminal charts are once again powered by Jeppesen. Charts can be pinned for quick access and also be visualised as an overlay on your planned route. New in Charts 8 are the VFR charts. Similar to IFR charts, VFR charts will show you procedures, waypoints and airspaces, but also landmarks such as roads, power lines, railways, churches and more. Moving maps, available for both IFR and VFR charts, helps you with procedures and taxiing by giving you a quick overview of where you are. Charts 8 comes with even more new features: Seamless Zoom allows you to zoom in from a globe level down to airport level, showing you gates, buildings, stop lines and more. Autopinning Procedure Charts makes sure that you always have your procedure charts at hand. Airport Crosswind and Weather Info gives you an indicator of how favourable your selected runway is with the weather. And new Vector Charts aims to bring better performance and allows for decluttering charts, as well as enabling charts to rotate. And the Navigraph team is committed to bring even more features to the new Charts app, including traffic visualisation and chart annotations among other features. Navigraph Charts 8 is available though the Navigraph Ultimate subscription, that also gives you access to Navdata. Navigraph Ultimate is available as a monthly subscription of €8,30 or a yearly subscription of €74,90.
Explore all the Alamo City has to offer. iniBuilds has recently taken to their forums to announce their next project titled XS81: San Antonio Landmarks and Helipads for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The same developer behind the release of iniScene San Antonio (KSAT) will be bringing a meticulous and vibrant recreation of many parts of the Alamo City. Notably, the scenery will feature a highly detailed rendition of San Antonio’s Christus Santa Rosa Childrens Hospital (and accompanying helipad), 360 degree views from The Chart House Restaurant sitting atop the Tower of the Americas, even the Alamo! The scenery is slated to include three helipads (one civilian and two medical), all of which will be placed on elevated structures. As helicopters become more heavily supported by the Simulator, this scenery promises to deliver many challenging approaches and exciting views to rotor-wing enthusiasts. In fact, Asobo just announced two additional helicopters (Bell 407 and Guimbal Cabri G2) coming to the Simulator for the free 40th Anniversary Edition update launching November 11th! iniBuilds reminds users that the images shown here are currently a work-in-progress and do not fully represent the final product. There is currently no estimated release date, but iniBuilds will continue to update users through their forums. Features Highly detailed model of major landmarks of inner downtown San Antonio Highly detailed recreation of Christus Santa Rosa Childrens Hospital and accompanying helipad Surrounding hotels, residual buildings/shops modeled and textured True-to-life, extremely accurate landmark lighting Completely native MSFS Helipads, ready for upcoming native Helicopters Thorough optimization of LOD’s of every object Accurate placements of red obstruction beacons atop skyscrapers 3 different helipads, 1 civilian, two medical, all elevated on structures!
Varna Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Scenery developer AG Sim has brought us Varna Airport (LBWN) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Varna Airport is located just over 6 miles from the coastal city of Varna, the historic maritime capital of Bulgaria. It is the third-largest airport in the country with over 29 destinations in 13 countries, the longest route to and from Varna is Liverpool, at 967 miles non-stop with Wizz Air. In 2021 the airport saw 1,004,000 passengers through its doors. AG Sim’s rendition includes fully modelled terminals and surrounding buildings with high detailing, PBR texturing throughout, accurate ground and traffic signs, custom vegetation around the airport, custom animations and more. You can purchase Varna Airport from SimMarket for €14.99 (Excluding VAT) here. Features 3D Buildings created with high-details Fully PBR textures Ground texture renewed Vegetation around airport Animated Radar and Windsock Accurate slope Ships and boats around the city Glorious Night lightning Helipad Accurate Ground and Traffic Signs
Come and celebrate another year of flight simulation with like-minded simmers this November. Following the huge success of our FSElite party last year, we’re back with another opportunity to come party with fellow flight simulator enthusiasts. On Saturday, 19th November 2022, we’ll be partying on a boat in Reading (UK). We have a range of people already going to attend, including the FSElite team, content creators, flight sim developers, and fellow enthusiasts. However, we’re opening up the last few remaining tickets to our amazing community. During the FREE event, you will be provided with food and drink, plus plenty of space to speak to fellow flight sim nerds whilst we party the night away. We will then communicate with everyone who enters on November 11th if you’re invited. Members of the Community We have five tickets for flight simulator community members to win. This is just a small way in which we want to thank those that have supported us over the years. All you need to do is enter via the form below. FILL OUT THIS FORM Influencers, Developers, or Content Creators We have five tickets available for those in the flight sim space who create content for the community. Regardless of whether you make freeware, payware, run a virtual airline, or make amazing YouTube videos, we’d love to hear from you. This is a great way to make some connections with the community and fellow creators. If you want to take part, FILL OUT THIS FORM! Event Details: Location: Reading, UK (exact location will be given to those invited) Time: 18:00 – 23:00 Price: FREE Included: Welcome drink, 2 x drinks vouchers, buffet food and nibbles Do Note: Over 18s only for the event Plus ones are permitted, but we need to get their details Winners will be randomly picked from all entries. Winners will be notified on November 11th 2022 via email By entering, you are confirming you are able to attend the party in Reading (UK) which start at 18:00 You will have to provide your own transport and accommodation to and from the event
Grab the new update for the Fenix Simulations A320 now. This morning, Fenix Simulations released another new update to their Airbus A320 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This new v1.0.6.146 update addresses some bugs and includes fixes and improvements based on feedback from their customers and internal team. Some of the fixes include the TOO STEEP PATH bug on the MCDU, TCAS horizontal range, N2 volume on approach increased and improved, screen brightness set to max for cold and dark, performance improvements and more. The full changelog can be found below. To update your copy, head over to the Fenix Simulations website or open up the FenixSim A320 app on your computer and grab the latest build. Changelog SYSTEM Fixed TOO STEEP PATH Fixed TCAS Fixed several crashes/exceptions LOC Capture in HDG mode improved Added more variables for which brake temperature modelling is disabled during GSX pushbacks Screen brightness set to MAX for cold and dark Minor VNAV calculation error fixed ART & SOUND Minor fixes and adjustments Particle FX reworked for improved performance Refactored cockpit wind further so a more noticeable change can be heard below 280knots Increased volume of brake fans N2 volume on approach increased and improved Cockpit wind is now tied to the “environment sounds” slider in MSFS, leaving it at 100% will give the most accurate experience to the real A320 Added seat movement sounds Cabin lights are now dimmed when set to OFF
Shobdon Aerodrome is now available for X-Plane. Scenery developer Boundless Simulations has brought us Shobdon Aerodrome (EGBS) for both X-Plane 11 and 12. Shobdon Aerodrome is a small airfield located 7 miles west of Leominster in Herefordshire, UK. Originally starting out as a British Army camp, the airfield was used by the No.5 glider training school from 1942 to 1945. In 1962 after years of no flying activity, Herefordshire Aero Club gained permission to operate the airfield and continues to do so to this day. The airfield is a popular flying club and is home to many private aircraft of all shapes and sizes. Shobdon is also frequently used for air taxi services to Europe. Boundless’ rendition of Shobdon includes great attention to detail, including up-to-date HD Ortho imagery, 4K photorealistic texturing throughout, open hangars with aircraft inside, PBR ground and vehicle texturing, accurately modelled cracks/wear & tear, custom vegetation and more. You can purchase Boundless’ Shobdon Aerodrome for X-Plane from the Boundless Store for £9.99. Both XP11 and XP12 versions are included in the price. This product does require the Boundless Library – which is available to download for free here. Features Real Airport Layout Up to date, HD Ortho imagery 4K Photorealistic Textures PBR ground and building textures Dynamic Night lighting based on real-world colour tones 3D Hedges, trees and Vegetation 3D Grass Nearby houses and farms modelled Rain and seasonal effects on the ground (XP12 Only) Static Aircraft Fully accurate ground markings – including accurately modelled cracks/wear & tearOpen Hangars (with aircraft inside)
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Aerosoft has brought us Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport (EDSB) for Microsoft Flight Simulator, developed by A-Flight. Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport is a medium-sized international airport serving Karlsruhe, the third largest city in the state of Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany. The airport is the second busiest in the state after Stuttgart International Airport and is mostly used by low-cost airlines and charters. Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden has around 31 destinations in 14 countries with the longest flight being to Tenerife South, at 1,205 miles with Ryanair. Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport includes an accurate ground layout of 2022, high-resolution models of passenger terminals and surrounding buildings, taxiway signs, ground markings, animated passengers and more. You can purchase Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport from the Aerosoft Store for €15.08 here. Features Detailed scenery of the airport area Accurate ground layout (2022) with taxiway signs and ground markings High-resolution models of passenger terminals and airport buildings Animated passengers in terminals and walkways Dynamic night lighting Custom immediate surroundings for improved look and feel of the airport area
The Maddog is going to be update very soon with some much requested features. Following the release of the Leonardo Softhouse Fly the Maddog earlier this year, the team has been noticeably quiet. Outside of some updates here and there, the team hasn’t really provided information on what they have been working on. However, that changes today with the latest forum post from the team. In Stefano’s post, he recognised how quite they have been, but this has been for a good reason. Over the past few months, the team has been working on a new ’bridge’ application that will allow more features and functionality to overcome some of the limitations of working within MSFS. This new bridge, known as the ’MDClient’ allows ACARS pages to be added, CPDLC functionality, full integration with GSX Pro and much more. The new update for the Fly the Maddog on Microsoft Flight Simulator is currently in beta testing and the release is expected in the next few weeks. What is also exciting about this new information is the fact that the team can refocus its efforts on bringing the MD-88 and the MD-83 to the simulator. There isn’t any additional information on those right now, but we will be sure to keep our eyes peeled. Upcoming Update Changelog Added tray application ‘MDClient’ to overcome limitation of the sandboxed environment; Added back all missing ACARS pages; Added back wx clients for METAR/ATIS (VATSIM/IVAO) and CPDLC; Added back ‘printing’ of ACARS message to Pushover app; Added automatic retrieval of latest OFP from SimBrief; Full GSX Pro integration.
On average, one product update every 18 days for the 737. This week, PMDG released the latest series of updates to the 737 Product Line for Microsoft Flight Simulator. As usual, Robert Randazzo took to the PMDG Forums to detail the changes being made in this release and also to set the stage for upcoming testing as Sim Update 11 approaches. A fact is that this is PMDG’s 10th release to the 737 Product Line, resulting in an update on average every 18 days since May! These latest updates pushed out to users focuses on control law and the improvement of overall stability of the 737 in the evolving MSFS environment. While a bit easier in P3D, accomplishing a fully realistic model of fluidity, stability and instability in an atmospheric model is much more difficult within the extremely dynamic world of MSFS. Randazzo goes on to say, “it has taken some time- but we have made significant progress with it lately- and this update brings us much closer to where we want the package to be.” With the -900 entering testing most likely a week from today, this is very positive news. One piece of news many users remain excited about is the implementation of an EFB tablet. Randazzo mentioned that progress continues to be made and the tablet enters testing this week. All eyes at PMDG are currently set on the Sim Update 11 release timeline. Rest assured that the team will be standing by to dive into any emergency fixes that may appear once the final SU11 release is distributed. Changelog Change list for 3.00.0044 is as follows:=================================0011898: [Systems – Hydraulic] EDP Low Pressure lights come on to late in start (rsrandazzo)0012029: [AFDS – Pitch Modes] Level change down : provision for FS atmoshpere “bursts” pumping pitch up/down (emvaos)0012002: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] VC Clipping and assorted finds (vscimone)0010744: [FMS – Route/Legs Pages] Wrapping ETA and time differences around 0000z (emvaos)0012006: [FMS/AFDS – VNAV] CRZ phase revival even within geometric descent (emvaos)0011655: [AFDS – Thrust Modes] Provisions and refinement of A/T speed mode in SU10+ turbulence (emvaos)0010628: [AFDS – Thrust Modes] New AT SPD mode system (emvaos)0012005: [External Model – Geometry] Cabin lighting tone down needed after SU10? (jbrown)0011992: [External Model – Geometry] Pilots not shown on extenral view (jbrown)0011993: [AFDS – Pitch Modes] Oscilattions when using V/S for descent. (emvaos)0011996: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] Small fap on the ceiling of VC, (vscimone)0011976: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] VC Vertices cleanup (vscimone)additiona: provisions for stability with known SU11 changes. Change list for 3.00.0044 is as follows:=================================0011898: [Systems – Hydraulic] EDP Low Pressure lights come on to late in start (rsrandazzo)0012029: [AFDS – Pitch Modes] Level change down : provision for FS atmoshpere “bursts” pumping pitch up/down (emvaos)0012002: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] VC Clipping and assorted finds (vscimone)0010744: [FMS – Route/Legs Pages] Wrapping ETA and time differences around 0000z (emvaos)0012006: [FMS/AFDS – VNAV] CRZ phase revival even within geometric descent (emvaos)0011655: [AFDS – Thrust Modes] Provisions and refinement of A/T speed mode in SU10+ turbulence (emvaos)0010628: [AFDS – Thrust Modes] New AT SPD mode system (emvaos)0012005: [External Model – Geometry] Cabin lighting tone down needed after SU10? (jbrown)0011992: [External Model – Geometry] Pilots not shown on extenral view (jbrown)0011993: [AFDS – Pitch Modes] Oscilattions when using V/S for descent. (emvaos)0011996: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] Small fap on the ceiling of VC, (vscimone)0011976: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] VC Vertices cleanup (vscimone)additiona: provisions for stability with known SU11 changes.
Will new developer Sim Flight Ventures impress simmers with 'Epic Ops'? A newcomer to flight simulation addons for Microsoft Flight Simulator has released their first payware to the market in a unique product category. Sim Flight Ventures has released what they are calling Epic Ops; a new series of flight scenarios designed to challenge experienced simulator pilots. In “Epic Ops”, pilots will be tasked with landing at airports near challenging terrain and in poor weather. What makes this addon unique is that the airports in question have little to nothing in the way of runway lighting or instrument approaches, so simulator pilots will be forced to carefully plan their own approach down onto the runway, taking care to avoid terrain and maintaining a steady glideslope. Sim Flight Ventures’ contextualises their new package of landing challenge-type scenarios with some backstory. The press releases states that a deadly contagion is rapidly spreading across rural areas, with an emerging need for medical supplies to be transported to affected areas urgently. However, poor weather conditions, steep terrain and a lack of published approach procedures are all hampering efforts to deliver these supplies by air. Aviation authorities have granted you special permission to fly in these conditions which would otherwise be considered highly dangerous, but only if you dare fly your aircraft into the storm. This places Epic Ops into an entirely new product category. Eyes from across the MSFS addon developer community will be watching keenly to see how Epic Ops performs, and how simmers react to it. Epic Ops products include pre-defined flight plans between specifically selected airports (minus the approach) and two customised weather pre-sets for each flight: Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) or visual meteorological conditions (VMC). The developer states that their intention for adding a VMC pre-set is so that pilots can practice their approaches in easier conditions before adding additional layers of challenge. Epic Ops will be a series of products, each containing 10 landing scenarios. Today, the Crown Mountains and Rocky Mountains packages have each released at $16.95AUD (€9.95), with an additional geographical area listed as ‘Coming Soon’. Further product details can be found at the Sim Flight Ventures website. Let us know in the comments what you think of this intriguing new product offering, and whether you will be taking a look at Epic Ops!
Join us on November 12th for a discussion on how flight simulation media works. On November 12th, 2022 at 21:00z, FSElite, MSFS Addons, TheFlyingFabio, and TwoToneMurphy will be online discussing what it’s like to play a role in flight simulation media. The live panel discussion, hosted by Flight Simulation Association, will last over an hour giving you insight into how members of the media work to bring you the latest flight simulation content. The session will be moderated by Sky Command, who will be putting hot topics and questions to the panel. Questions like whether media outlets are paid to review developers’ products (short answer: no), how developers work with media, and how creators manage to stay motivated even when times are tough. It should be a fun and engaging topic and one that we can’t wait to share with you. You will also have the chance to submit your own questions to the panel. In addition to the panel discussion, there are also going to be many giveaway prizes to be won. Everyone participating live will have the chance to win prizes, including new hardware from Turtle Beach’s VelocityOne flight sim product line! The more than 30 giveaways also include products from Aerosoft, Airfoillabs, Burning Blue Design, Cockspur, DC Designs, Flight Control Replay, FlightFX, FSReborn, iniBuilds, Just Flight, Miltech Simulations, Orbx, Sim Works Studios, Slant Alpha Adventures, Verticalsim, and more! There will be multiple prize draws conducted live during the stream. Be sure to tune in on November 12th, 2022 at 21:00z and watch the in-depth panel discussion live.
A free upgrade to V1 users, now featuring interior modeling! Sierrasim Simulation has released a new version of Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (ICAO: SKMD) for Microsoft Flight Simulator, bringing several enhancements to the scenery. Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport V1 was originally released by Sierrasim in April 2021 with aerial images of the surrounding area, adjacent buildings, sloped runways, and emblematic buildings of Medellin city. Olaya Herrera Airport is Colombia’s main regional airport, hosting a large number of regional and domestic flights. Prior to the opening of nearby José María Córdova International Airport in 1985, the Airport was known as Medellin International Airport. Olaya Herrera Airport V2 includes many new features by taking advantage of the many new capabilities the Simulator offers to scenery developers. At the top of the list comes photo realistic PBR textures being applied to buildings and vehicles. Another large improvement over last year’s version is the detailed interior modeling of certain areas of the terminal with the inclusion of static passengers. Finally, the tower cab has been modeled with ATC personnel and transparent glass. Olaya Herrera Airport V2 can be purchased via Simmarket for €9.99. For those users that purchased V1, this is a free upgrade! Features Ground Images Photo realistic PBR textures for buildings, vehicles, etc. Airport Objects Improved certain textures Model improvement Internal models included Optimized for good performance Night lighting
This is the first update to the popular Adventure Tours Hawaii Adventum Simulations has released their Autumn Update to the Adventure Tours Hawaii, bringing the current version to v1.22.210. Adventure Tours Hawaii was first released to the PC version of Microsoft Flight Simulator on December 16th, 2021 allowing users to take to the skies as a tour pilot around the majestic Hawaiian islands. Exploring amazing coastlines, rugged canyons, pristine white sand beaches, and the world’s largest active volcano, users could choose from up to 12 narrated tours, 20 adventure landing challenges, including detailed navlogs, and a special livery for the Cessna Grand Caravan 208B. Last month, Adventure Tours Hawaii made its debut on the Xbox Series X|S. In addition, Adventum Simulations now offers a free demo available on Flightsim.to for those users who are still on the fence about their product. This Autumn Update has aimed to optimize tour routes, add ambient passenger camera sounds to Pineapple Island and Volcanoes National Park Tours, update the Solar Calendar to the Fall 2022, offer community folder optimization, and various other bug fixes throughout. Changelog Optimized Tour Routes Navlog Text Updates Added Ambient Camera Sounds to Pineapple Island and Volcanoes National Park Tours Updated Solar Calendar to Fall 2022 for all activities UI Organization in Custom Content Areas Community Folder Optimization Various Bug / Screenshot Fixes Product Demo Available 747 Landing Challenge Updated to Real Weather Various Landing Challenge Fixes
Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Scenery developer PKSim has brought us Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (SPJC) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport is Peru’s main international and domestic airport located 7 miles northwest of Lima, the nation’s Capital. The airport is served by a multitude of different airlines with over 60 destinations in 18 countries, the airport is also a major cargo hub. The longest route to and from Lima is Amsterdam, at 4,059 miles non-stop with KLM. In 2021 the airport saw 11.2 million passengers through its doors. PKSim’s rendition includes handmade high-quality PBR texturing throughout, terminal, hangers and surrounding buildings modelled, 3 types of custom jetways, a new control tower, runway and construction works, custom ground textures, vehicles and more. You can purchase Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport from SimMarket for €17.00 (Excluding VAT) here. Features 3 types of custom working jetways. Updated satellite imagery. Custom ground vehicles. New tower, runway and terminal construction works. GSX ready with pushback spots. Hand-made textures with PBR materials. Custom ground textures.
This udderly unique addition to the sim brings frame-friendly farm animals to the region. Making mooves in the flight sim market is Taburet’s latest release; their UK and Ireland farm animal package. Adding over four million static 3D animals into the sim, it’s clear Taburet aren’t horsing around. Promising low frame rate impacts, simmers will start to see the fields over the UK and Ireland looking realistically populated. With the number of add-on products in the sim, the steaks have never been higher. Too many puns? Alpaca my bag! If you previously purchased Taburet – Switzerland Austria Farm Animals MSFS at simMarket, you are entitled to the special upgrade price of EUR 8.99 incl. VAT (7.49 excl. VAT) only. Note: The special upgrade price will be awarded automatically, therefore you must be logged into your same account used to purchase the previous version.
Experience a new business jet for X-Plane. After more than two years, AKD Studio is happy to announce the release of their GLF550 – Ultimate Business Jet. The plane is modelled after a Gulfstream G550, but for legal reasons can’t be called the same. The G550 is a popular business jet for both civil and military operators. AKD Studio’s GLF550 comes with an extensive feature list. It contains a wide range of custom aircraft systems, such as custom pressurisation, oxygen, hydraulic and fuel systems. It also contains a custom GPWS and TCAS module, as well as a custom autopilot and auto-throttle. AKD Studio’s GLF550 is available for $31.95 from the X-Plane.org store.
FlightSimBuddy is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. FlightSimBuddy is a flight planning utility tool that aims to assist you at multiple phases of your flight. Among its features are planning tools, flight sharing, a scratchpad, chart viewer and checklist creator. The companion app, only available on iOS, also supports voice commands as an extra feature, allowing you to pay more attention to your flight. FlightSimBuddy is available through the App Store, with the sim connector available from their own website. FlightSimBuddy has a 3 day free trial, after which a subscription costs €24,99 (incl. VAT) per year.
In case you missed it: FSElite will be attending FSWeekend in Lelystad. We’ll bring you coverage from the floor with news and interviews from developers. FSWeekend will be organised on 5 and 6 November in the Aviation Museum Aviodrome in Lelystad, The Netherlands. The event will host a wide variety of organisations, such as hardware producers, cockpit builders, online networks and software developers. Attending the event will be Aerosoft, iniBuilds, Honeycomb Aeronautical, FlyByWire Simulations as well as the Dutch VATSIM Association and many more. A full list of exhibitors at the event can be found on the website of FSWeekend. FSWeekend attendance requires a museum ticket, which can be purchased for €17,95. Let us know in the comments if you’ll be attending, who you’d like us to speak with or what you’d like to see or find out from the event. We are looking forward to seeing you at FSWeekend!
Trieste International Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Scenery developer Barelli MSFS Addons has released Trieste International Airport (LIPQ) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Trieste International Airport, officially known as Aeroporto Friuli-Venezia Giulia is an international airport located 18 miles northwest of the city of Trieste in northeastern Italy. The airport is currently served by a handful of airlines with around 12 destinations. Ryanair currently offers the most flights to and from Trieste. Barelli MSFS Addons rendition includes a fully modelled representation of the terminal and surrounding buildings, high-quality texturing, updated taxiways, ground markings and landmarks including the Memorial of Redipuglia, Fortress of Monfalcone, Castle of Duino, Basilica of Aquileia and Cerje Peace Monument. You can purchase Trieste International Airport from SimMarket for €18.87 (Excluding VAT). You can also purchase for a lower price without the landmarks for €13.90 (Excluding VAT) here.
Grab the new update for the Fenix Simulations A320 now. Just a few days ago, Fenix Simulations released a new update for their high-fidelity A320 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The new v1.0.5.139 update addresses a list of issues including exterior volumetric lights, flap behaviour, flare law, side stick updates, minor VNAV fixes and sound improvements to flaps, slats, fuel pumps, AEVC and air conditioning packs. Many will be happy to hear that contrails have returned. The full changelog can be found below. To update your copy, head over to the Fenix Simulations website or open up the FenixSim A320 app on your computer and grab the latest build. Changelog SYSTEM Adjusted custom low-speed friction model Adjusted G/S mini logic Fixed beacon/strobe desync Fixed flap 2 to flap 3 excessive nose-down ballooning in manual flight and auto flight. Adjusted tuning for G/S hold for better tracking of G/S in autopilot modes Autoland told to stop mucking about and do the job properly, should flare a little more aggressively now. Fixed issue with loss of ILS signal in the FMS autotuner. This causes a lack of yaw control during ROLLOUT, leading to grassy excursions. Please note, it’s possible this issue still exists in specific sceneries that do not have their guidance beams set up properly. ISA fixed. Small tweaks to FLARE mode behaviour. Introduction of LIGHTER/HEAVIER sidestick option in CONTROL CONFIG, default changed to “lighter” for desktop hardware. Changed the amount of force needed to disconnect the autopilot with stick pressure. Now a user needs to apply roughly 60% of travel before the AP will disconnect. This is the best way we can emulate a “control lock” which requires a fair amount of force to disconnect. Disabled brake temperature simulation for GSX pushbacks. Reduced sensitivity of yaw when nose wheel is in contact with the ground, leading to significantly smoother yaw control during crosswind landings and at high speeds. Minor refinements to initial VNAV descent angle calculations. Fixed an issue where the flat deceleration segment for 250kts was missing when “at or above” altitude constraint was present. FM Slight bump to flap full lift, aircraft should feel more responsive in flap full configurations, ergo FLARE feels slightly more energetic now as opposed to throwing the elevator up into a bowl of porridge. All in all, this should be more consistent, simply put. The prior the lack of lift was causing inertia issues. Please be aware of this on your next approach, some refamiliarization might be required. Made a small adjustment to lateral friction values Made a small adjustment to ground spoiler effectiveness ART & SOUND All exterior lights are now volumetric Added back missing antennas bringbackcontrails Volume bug resolved to prevent some sounds from playing at their intended volume Fixed nose gear retraction sounds Brighter cockpit Sound fixes and improvements (flaps/slats/fuel pumps/AEVC/packs)
iFly showcases their highly anticipated 737 MAX for P3D It has been a couple of months since the flight simulator community heard any news regarding iFly’s upcoming Boeing 737 MAX add-on for Prepar3D. However, the developer released a performance test on the Flight1 YouTube channel, providing us with the first preview of the 737 MAX in action. The Boeing 737 MAX has become one of the most well-known and scrutinized Boeing aircraft in recent years. The MAX family is the successor to the popular Boeing 737 NG family and has received numerous cockpit, interior, engine, and wing design upgrades to compete with the Airbus A320neo family. After being in 2019 due to design flaws, the 737 MAX finally returned to flight in late 2020 and has slowly become the narrowbody aircraft of choice for many airlines. In addition to being airlines’ preferred aircraft, the flight simulation community has been anxiously waiting for a developer to release a 737 MAX. Thankfully, iFly announced earlier this year they would develop a MAX for P3D and showed off previews earlier this summer. Now, with the performance test video released, we can anticipate the aircraft is reaching release soon. In the video description, iFly noted the performance test was conducted on P3D v5 with almost max settings on an i9-29000K and an Nvidia RTX 3080. The aircraft seemed to fly perfectly on this test, with little to no lag or stutters. In addition to the fantastic performance, the video highlights the aircraft’s detailed sounds and systems. Each switch and button tested in the video appeared to have a unique sound, and the CFM LEAP-1B engines operated similarly to their real-life counterparts. Lastly, the aircraft’s electronic flight bag (EFB) was previewed and tested during the climb-out phase. While it appeared less detailed than the EFB in PMDG’s 737s, iFly’s EFB was responsive and displayed all the pertinent information. For now, iFly’s 737 MAX is still in beta testing, and FSElite will continue to monitor the aircraft’s development.
An all-expenses paid trip to North America's flight simulation conference! One of the world’s largest dedicated flight simulation conferences, FlightSimExpo 2023, arrives in Houston, Texas at the Lone Star Flight Museum from 23rd June to 25th June, 2023. Since 2018, the event has welcomed more than 3,500 attendees in exciting North American cities including Las Vegas, Orlando and San Diego. Right now through 13th November, the Flight Simulation Association (FSA) is giving flight simulation enthusiasts a chance to enter their giveaway for an all-expenses paid trip to FSExpo 2023! Simply head here to enter the giveaway. Enthusiasts may earn up to 106 entries through various ways of following FSA on social media and becoming involved with the Association. On or shortly after 13 November, the winner will be announced and contacted via e-mail. The winner will receive: A free, round-trip flight on Delta Airlines to Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) from anywhere in Canada or the Lower 48 US states. A 3-night stay at the Marriott Houston South, including airport transfers via hotel shuttle. 3-day admission to FlightSimExpo 2023 A $200 prepaid gift card to cover rideshare, meals, and other expenses. For a list of official contest entry requirements, rules and conditions, please head to the Flight Simulation Association website. Good luck to all flight simulation enthusiasts in the contest!
Richer Simulations brings another Caribbean destination to MSFS. It has been a busy time for scenery developer Richer Simulations. After releasing their Grantley Adams International Airport scenery, the developer has also released Douglas-Charles Airport (TDPD) as part of their Caribsky product series. Located on the island nation of Dominica, Douglas-Charles Airport is one of two airports serving the island and has undergone various upgrade and expansion programs. The airport’s short 5,761-foot runway means that air traffic is generally limited to regional jets and propeller aircraft. However, with the introduction of American Airlines/American Eagle service to Miami, passenger volumes at the airport have dramatically increased since 2021. In order to attract future growth, the government of Dominica is looking to construct a new, world-class international airport. In the meantime, renovations will continue at Douglas-Charles Airport to sustain the current growth. Richer Simulations’ latest scenery reflects the 2022 layout of the airport. This highly detailed scenery also features PBR textures, sloped terrain, and mesh upgrades for the areas surrounding the airport. Nestled between the seaside and hilly terrain, landing at Douglas-Charles airport will truly test a pilot’s skills. In addition, while A320neos do not normally fly into TDPD, the photo previews show that the aircraft could comfortably fit at this small airport. Finally, like all Richer Simulation sceneries, Douglas-Charles airport features several realistic ground and airport objects. You can now get your copy of Douglas-Charles Airport from SimMarket for €12.00 (excluding VAT). Features Newly upgraded airport represented as of 2022 Full PBR textures Handcrafted sloped terrain Approach and directional lights Fully modeled parking lot High poly vegetation 4096 ultra HD textures 10m mesh upgrade for the entire island
Modern military training aircraft lands in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Swiss company Pilatus’ advanced military trainer, the PC-21, has landed in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Developer Iris Simulation’s previous products include another popular military trainer, the Grob Tutor. However, the modern Pilatus aircraft was designed to provide levels of performance so high that pilots could conduct the majority of their flight training in it before switching to faster jet-powered aircraft. With a pressurized cockpit and top speeds of 426mph, simmers can start whizzing across the skies in a variety of real-world liveries, with the aircraft being used in reality by militaries all across the globe, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, and France. You can purchase a copy of the Pilatus PC-21 from the Iris Simulations store for $34.99.
Team say STOL aircraft for MSFS could be in pilot's hands 'within next couple of weeks for evaluation'. MSFS developers SimWorks Studios have taken to Facebook to provide a long-awaited update on their Dash 7 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Their post includes a number of updates on key components, such as the flight dynamics, exterior model and cockpit modelling, among other things. However, more importantly, the team say they intend to have the Dash 7 ‘in pilot’s hands within the next couple of weeks for evaluation’. The team behind the RV-14 and the Kodiak 100 say the flight dynamics of their Dash 7 have been finalised for a few months, with minor tweaks having been made on the ground handling of the four-engine propeller driven aircraft. The post reveals that it is the interior detail of the aircraft that is receiving the majority of the team’s attention, with texturing making good progress and ‘bugs being squashed’. You can read the team’s announcement in full here.
Unalaska Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Just a few days after their announcement, Orbx has now released Unalaska Airport (PADU) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Unalaska Airport (also known as Dutch Harbor) is a small airport on Amaknak Island located in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. In 2002 the airport was renamed “Tom Madsen Airport” in memory of a bush pilot who was sadly killed in an aeroplane accident. The airport has a short 4,500ft runway bordered by open water on one side and a large hill on the other, both ends of the runway drop off into the ocean making the approach and landing a challenging experience. Unalaska sees regular passenger services with Ravn Alaska into Anchorage and services from Grant Aviation into smaller remote communities. The airport also sees regular cargo runs with Alaska Central Express. Orbx developer Matteo Venanziani is the creator of this scenic airport, with his other talented creations being Burbank, Skiathos and Van Nuys. Matteo has not only modelled the airport in high detail but also the entire city, harbours and surrounding landmarks making this product come to life. You can purchase Unalaska airport from Orbx Direct for $24.93 AUD (approximately US$15.94 | €15,96 | £13.77). Owners of the Orbx Alaska Mesh will also receive a 20% discount. Features Full Unalaska airport in high detail and beautiful texture work Complete reproduction of the entire city and harbours with custom buildings High quality photoreal Custom ground poly and taxi signs Optional statics Works with Orbx Alaska Mesh
Miltech Simulations is venturing further into the world of military add-ons with their latest announcement. Developer Miltech Simulations, known for their previous releases of the USS Lexington and USS George Bush aircraft carriers, is venturing further into the world of military equipment with the announcement of a MV-22B Osprey. The Osprey is a tiltlrotor aircraft mainly in use with the United States military, with several branches using the aircraft. It’s also in use by the Japanese Self-Defence Forces, and India, Indonesia and Israel have all shown interest or signed contracts to start using the aircraft as well. The plane has a unique and distinctive look with its tilting rotors mounted on the ends of the wings. The plane features both VTOL and STOL capabilities, and combines helicopter capabilities with those of more conventional turboprop aircraft. MV-22B Osprey Miltech Simulations’ MV-22B Osprey promises to be a highly detailed one. Miltech Simulations has developed the plane in partnership with Maryadi, who has previously released a MV-22B Osprey for FSX and P3D. This MSFS version aims to be the “most detailed and comprehensive representation of the MV-22B Osprey ever created for a consumer flight simulator“. The aircraft will feature accurate and high quality external and internal models, made based on the aircraft flight manual and reference material. The aircraft will also feature an authentic interior, exterior night lighting (including the iconic blade tip lights), and several options and animations to control the aircraft doors and ramp. When it comes to the aircraft systems, all instruments have been custom coded. The nacelles feature a realistic manual operation, there is a full simulation of the blade fold and wing stow, and the aircraft features an auto-hover capability, as well as auto-flaps and a custom auto pilot. VTOL and STOL flight dynamics have been realistically created. Also simulated is vortex ring state including a realistic simulation of VRS recovery manoeuvres. Amphibious Ready Group To complement an aircraft with so many capabilities Miltech Simulations is also releasing an Amphibious Ready Group. This amphibious ready group contains several types of warships that you can use to simulate several kinds of operations. You can start your flight from any of 16 locations around the globe featuring the USS America. From here you can simulate amphibious deployments, marine expeditionary missions or any other kind of operation to several other ships: the USS San Antonio, USS Lewis B. Puller, USS Virginia or the USNS Mercy. These all feature hard decks that are ready for you to land on. The MV-22B Osprey as well as the Amphibious Ready Group are scheduled to release early in November. The products will be available through Orbx Direct as well as the MSFS Marketplace, though a price has not yet been announced. The add-ons will initially only be available for PC, but will also come to Xbox after Sim Update 12’s WASM compatibility. Furthermore, Miltech Simulations has also announced an Osprey Airport Pack set for release in Q1 of 2023. No details on this airport pack have yet been shared. Features Developed in partnership with talented aircraft developer Maryadi Most Detailed and Comprehensive representation of the MV-22B Osprey ever created for a consumer Flight Simulator. Accurate external model, as well as Internal cockpit model, based on the aircraft flight manual and references. Togglable automatic operation of Doors and Ramp based on the flight condition. Authentic interior and exterior Night Lighting, including Osprey’s iconic Blade Tip lights. 8 Hand-crafted Liveries included. Cockpit and Systems Comprehensive simulation of the aircraft instrument and systems. All instruments have been custom coded to match the real counterpart. Realistic manual operation of engine nacelles based on airspeed, as per the real-life counterpart. Full Simulation of BFWS (Blade Fold and Wing Stow) Procedures. Accurat...
Just in time for winter, your destination to the heart of the Scandinavian alpine ski area. Skyline Simulations has recently released Scandinavian Mountains Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator, allowing users to connect many European cities to the heart of Scandinavia’s alpine ski area in an accurate rendition of the airport. Scandinavian Mountains Airport (ICAO: ESKS) is located in Sweden near the Norwegian border and amongst four large ski resorts boasting over 254 slopes in an area known as Sälen. The brand-new airport opened in December 2019 and saw 14314 passengers during its first winter season. A first of its kind, Scandinavian Mountains Airport was designated to be operated solely by a virtual air traffic control tower rather than a conventional manned control tower. The airport has one 8202ft (2500m) runway, including ILS Category III and RNP approaches. Skyline Simulations has paid particular attention to the four-gate terminal with a fully modeled interior, including proper signage, animated passengers throughout, and even a luggage animation. Being the first virtual control tower, it is nice to see a special banner near the restaurant calling out the unique operations while exploring the terminal. This airport, and Skyline Simulations’ other sceneries, may be found on the developer’s website for €19.80. Feature List Designed with the latest airport updates UHD Realistic Custom Textures Detailed HD Ground with PBR and decals Super Detailed 3D modeling PBR Materials on every building Custom 3D vegetation Amazing and detailed night textures FSEco-subsystem Luggage Animation Airport Life. Animated 3D people and Flags Ground Traffic
Over 1000 pilots took part in VATSIM's bi-annual transatlantic crossing. FSElite takes a deep dive into the event with planners, pilots and stats for nerds. Over 1200 simulator pilots have taken part in VATSIM’s bi-annual Cross the Pond event, which sees hundreds of VATSIM’s air traffic controllers team up to provide seamless coverage across the Atlantic ocean for over 14 hours. 1213 aircraft departed from participating airfields in North America during the event, over 1000 of which had pre-booked a slot on the VATSIM website to ensure a smooth journey. What is VATSIM Cross the Pond? For those unaware, Cross the Pond is the world’s biggest online flight simulation event run by VATSIM, an online air traffic network. Pilots are invited to cross the Atlantic ocean with full air-traffic control coverage throughout the journey via one of the North Atlantic Tracks (NAT-Tracks). The event runs twice a year, with a westbound leg in April preceding an eastbound leg in October. In order to maintain a steady flow of traffic and not to overwhelm controllers, a slot booking system is used where each slot has an assigned departure time. Simmers this year had the option to choose from one of over 1100 slots. Uniquely for CTP, this time an additional 100 slots were also on offer for non-transatlantic flights across the European continent. Simmers were also free to fly without a booked slot but were told to expect late clearance, delays on the ground and a low flight level throughout their transatlantic crossing. VATSIM had 1102 slots available in total departing from participating airports this year, but over 1250 took to the skies. 8 American and 6 European airports were used during the event. This edition of eastbound also featured a city-pairing between São Paulo and Johannesburg. 127 slots were available for this routing. VATSIM’s Cross the Pond is a massive operation involving hundreds of volunteers and enthusiasts all coming together to create an event like no other. Approximately 220 controllers staffing positions all across North America, Gander, Shanwick and Europe all coordinate to get simmers across the ocean in a herculean effort. This year’s event was also another big test of the new VATSIM Velocity update, which was introduced in February 2022. VATSIM Velocity updated the refresh rate of VATSIM’s servers, meaning aircraft connected to the network would see each others’ positions updated with significantly higher frequency, making the experience more realistic and seamless. Interview with VATSIM’s Erik Quinn I was curious about how the event has evolved over time, and wanted to know what lessons learned from past iterations of Cross the Pond have been extrapolated into more recent editions. To find out some answers I spoke to Erik Quinn, a member of VATSIM CTP’s planning team ahead of the big day. Q: Has anything changed or been improved from the last CTP that is being implemented this time around? A: A few things come to mind. We have improved tools for controllers to assess who does and does not have a slot, as well as a system for coordinating non-event traffic (routes and flow control constraints) for the other side of the ocean while they’re still on the ground. We have also shortened the departure window from 5 hours to 3 hours to relieve the controllers from needing to work 9 hour continuous shifts at maximum (now maximum of about 7 hours in a worst case scenario). The start time is 2 hours later, giving some relief to early-morning wakeups. We have also added European domestic slots to keep those airports active before the transatlantic traffic arrives. There are improvements to the natTrack infrastructure to ensure uptime, and a slight improvement to oceanic capacity by dividing the airspace by altitude rather than by track, allowing for more granularity to ensure even workloads for oceanic controllers. Since we assign the oceanic crossing altitudes we can force traffic to be distributed more evenly among controllers ...
Adventum Simulations releases their first AI traffic package for MSFS Adventum Simulations has now entered the AI traffic market with their new product, AI Worldwide: E-Jets Series. The real-life E-Jet aircraft family is produced by Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer and is the aircraft family of choice for many regional airlines due to its relative comfort and payload capabilities. The first E-Jet prototype took to the skies in early 2002, and the program now includes the E170, E175, E190, and E195 aircraft. In recent years, Embraer has developed the E-Jet E2 family, which builds on the original E-Jet family design with new wings, engines, and cockpit/cabin designs. Adventum Simulations’ E-Jet AI package includes all models of the E-Jet and E-Jet E2 families, excluding the E175-E2, which is still in the certification process in real life. The aircraft models were designed to be light on frame rates while still including animated control surfaces and doors. Overall, the aircraft models resemble their real-life counterparts. However, it appears that Adventum Simulations did not model the extended winglet design found on many newer E175 aircraft. Finally, this package is designed to work with the default MSFS AI traffic or one of the AI traffic injectors. You can purchase AI Worldwide: E-Jet Series on SimMarket for for EUR 6.99, and Adventum Simulations has confirmed the package will be available on the Microsoft Marketplace soon. Features AI optimized aircraft models Fully animated AI aircraft models Worldwide traffic coverage Over 120 different airline liveries
Lynchburg Regional Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Developer PILOT’S has brought us Lynchburg Regional Airport (KLYH) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Lynchburg Regional Airport (also known as Preston Glenn Field) is a small airport six miles southwest of the city of Lynchburg in South Central Virginia, US. The airport commenced operations in 1931 and is primarily used by general aviation, but it also sees daily flights from Charlotte, North Carolina, operated by American Eagle. PILOT’S rendition of Lynchburg features an accurate up to date representation of the airport layout, dynamic scenery features, numerous high-quality Zeit-Dynamic scenery objects, high-quality texturing and more. The unique single jetway that opened in 2020 is also included. You can purchase Lynchburg Regional Airport from the MSFS Marketplace for $14.99. Features Accurate representation of the 2022 Lynchburg Regional Airport Layout Full native MSFS scenery, not a conversion Custom-crafted mesh to accurately represent the various terrain elevations from the runway areas and the immediate airport surroundings. Dynamic objects in high quality to maximize the immersive experience of being at the airport. Dynamic scenery features create a realistic, unique and ever-changing airport environment.
Take a flight to one of the most popular destinations in the West Indies. Scenery developer Richer Simulations, known for their Caribsky series of products has brought us Grantley Adams International Airport (TBPB) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Grantley Adams International Airport is the international airport for the island of Barbados, located 8 miles from the capital city of Bridgetown. It is one of the major gateways to the Eastern Caribbean and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of the West Indies. The airport is served by a number of airlines with over 28 destinations in 17 countries, the airport is also served by a number of cargo carriers. The longest route to and from Barbados is Frankfurt, at 2,831 miles non-stop with Condor. In 2019 the airport saw 2,298,491 passengers through its doors. Richer Simulations rendition includes an accurate airport layout as of 2022, newly constructed taxiway L and SW ramp, fully modelled terminal interior, all surrounding houses, hangars and related buildings modelled, ultra HD texturing throughout, designated AI parking and more. You can purchase Grantley Adams International Airport from SimMarket for €12.00 (Excluding VAT) here. Features Airport represented as of 2022, with upgraded taxiways and extended tarmac. newly constructed Taxiway L and the SW ramp. surrounding houses, hangars and related buildings Fully bumped-map buildings, vehicles, objects and ground polygons. static aircraft designated AI parking spaces fully modelled interior Approach and directional lights fully modelled parking lot High Poly Vegetation 4096 Ultra HD textures
Orbx announces the picturesque and challenging Unalaska Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Orbx is bringing the picturesque airport of Unalaska (PADU) to Microsoft Flight Simulator, with the announcement being made on their forums. Orbx developer Matteo Venanziani is the creator of this scenic airport, with his other creations being Skiathos, Burbank and Van Nuys. Unalaska Airport (also known as Dutch Harbor) is a small airport on Amaknak Island located in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska. Situated around 800 miles southwest of the city of Anchorage, the airport has a short 4,500ft runway bordered by open water on one side and a large hill on the other. Both ends of the runway drop off into the ocean and with regular inclement weather, makes the approach and landing a challenging experience to be had. Not only has Orbx recreated Unalaska Airport in high detail, but they have also covered the entire city, harbour and surrounding landmarks. No release date has been announced as of yet but judging by the screenshots it looks like it’s well on its way, until then make sure to stay tuned to FSElite for more updates. Features Full Unalaska airport in high detail and beautiful texture work Complete reproduction of the entire city and harbours with custom buildings High quality photoreal Custom ground poly and taxi signs Optional statics
Military fast jet comes fully native to the simulator and aims to be accessible to all users. Fresh out of the hangar comes CJ Simulations first product for Microsoft Flight Simulator, the iconic multirole Eurofighter Typhoon. First taking to the skies in 1994, the delta wing Typhoon was manufactured by a consortium of European aerospace companies and the aircraft features in a vast array of national air forces across the globe. Now available in Microsoft Flight Simulator, the team at CJ Simulations say they have produced a ‘top quality aircraft’ that is ‘accessible to all users without the need for intense study’. The aircraft claims to have been designed to minimise issues with future upgrades to the simulator, allowing for a pain-free use of the product. The team have enabled the Eurofighter Typhoon to be fully compatible with the simulator’s native materials, such as rain effects and sounds, reflective glass and native aerodynamic structures. Furthermore, the aircraft comes with 14 paint schemes and is also fully compatible with VR headsets, allowing simmers to fully immerse themselves in combat flying in the simulator. In a nod to their focus on accessibility for simmers, the team said, “CJ Simulation’s Eurofighter Typhoon is designed to provide a top-quality aircraft that is extremely detailed, yet less demanding to fly than today’s most complex procedural simulators. Equipped with all required avionics, and with custom-coded animations and systems, the CJ Simulations Eurofighter is designed to be accessible to all users without the need for intense study.” You can purchase a copy of CJ Simulations Eurofighter Typhoon at JustFlight.com for £24.99 Features Truly 3D virtual cockpit featuring accurately modelled ejection seat, controls and detailed texturing Instruments constructed in 3D with smooth animations Custom-coded MFD screens and Head-Up Display to match the real Typhoon’s displays ‘Scratched canopy’ glass effects and reflective glass Crew figure in the virtual cockpit is coded to disappear when you occupy their seat
Discover Orbx’s first release for X-Plane 12. Orbx has released its first airport for X-Plane 12. The newest release, Brisbane Airport is an upgrade of the original release on X-Plane 11 that comes free of charge for all current customers. The new release/upgrade, takes full advantage of the new technology found in Laminar Research’s next generation flight sim. The airport will feel much more alive now, with the introduction of ’Living Scenery Technology’ that is performance friendly, but allows Orbx to add new animated objects with ease. This includes things like an animated monorail, ground vehicles and more. Orbx is also taking full advantage of the new technology in the sim, with upgrade models for various parts of Brisbane, improved texturing and an updated mesh to better represent the airport with accuracy. The GA areas in particular have seen improvements with smaller details like picnic benches, vegetation and more added to improve the overall experience. In addition to all these improvements in the X-Plane 12 version, Orbx has also updated the airport for current X-Plane 11 users. If you already own Brisbane, you can download the update now through Orbx Central free of charge. However, if you are keen to pick it up for the first time, then you can buy it from Orbx for $28.96 AUD. Future Orbx Plans with X-Plane 12 Further to the release of the new upgrade for Brisbane, Orbx has also confirmed some of their plans with working on X-Plane 12 in the future. Currently, there is a lot of work ongoing to bring their current catalogue of products to X-Plane 12, with TrueEarth products on their priority list. It may take some time as Orbx figure out how to exactly take full advantage of the new tech. There are some brand new products also coming to X-Plane 12. In terms of pricing, it will likely vary from product to product on how much it will cost to upgrade. As mentioned, this update for Brisbane is free of charge, but future products may incur an upgrade fee, which will depend on the amount of work required. You can read more about their plans on their forums.
A limited time trick-or-treat event from the developer... if you dare. From the creators of Sharktooth Ridge, Parallel 42 has announced an invitation to a unique Halloween event taking place within Microsoft Flight Simulator. Based on the popular horror movie “Friday the 13th”, the developer has recreated the infamous Camp Crystal Lake, which they’ve assigned the airport identifier 42CL. For those that don’t remember, Camp Crystal Lake is the site where Jason Voorhees met an unfortunate demise due to a few inattentive camp counselors. After the drowning, his mother sought revenge. At the end of the 1980 horror film, an undead Jason springs to life tormenting campers. Edson Soriano, Managing Director of Parallel 42 took to the forums to set the stage for this spooky event by saying, “it’s rumored that Jason was eventually buried on site. and yearly, some of the most infamous will gather on the grounds to celebrate his life.” Will you find him dead or alive, and who else might be found stalking the campgrounds along with him? This special Halloween event is free for a limited time, exclusively on PC via Orbx beginning October 28th. Enter if you dare!
Land's End Airport is now available for X-Plane. Scenery developer Boundless Simulations has brought us Land’s End Airport (EGHC) for both X-Plane 11 and 12. Land’s End Airport is a small airport located just under six miles west of Penzance in Cornwall, UK. It is the most southwesterly airport in Great Britain and is owned by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company which also owns the airports only serving airline, Isles of Scilly Skybus. The airport saw 53,211 passengers through its doors in 2021 with the only destinations being the Isles of Scilly and Newquay. Boundless has recreated Land’s End Airport with great attention to detail, including up-to-date HD Ortho imagery, 4K photorealistic texturing throughout, a fully modelled terminal interior, PBR ground and vehicle texturing, custom vegetation and more. You can purchase Boundless’ Land’s End Airport for X-Plane from the Boundless Store for £10.99. It is their first scenery developed for both X-Plane 11 and 12, both versions are included in the price. This product does require the Boundless Library – which is available to download for free here. Features Real Airport Layout Up to date, HD Ortho imagery 4K Photorealistic Textures PBR ground and building textures Dynamic Night lighting based on real-world colour tones 3D Hedges, trees and Vegetation 3D Grass Nearby houses and farms modelled Rain and seasonal effects on the ground (XP12 Only) Static Aircraft Terminal Interior fully modelled (FPS Friendly) Parallax Interiors on houses Custom HD PBR vehicles (airside and landside) Fully accurate ground markings – including accurately modelled cracks/wear & tear Open Hangars (with aircraft inside)
Updates, new H145 variants, and missions. Hype Performance Group (HPG) has updated their H145 helicopter variants again, with all variants now reaching the major milestone of version 1.0. Manufactured by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter), the H145 family is one of the bestselling twin-engine helicopters in the world with more than 1,350 helicopters in service, covering the military, commercial, and luxury aviation sectors. The HPG H145 base model comes with the three main H145 variants, each with bespoke modelled interiors and exteriors with PBR textures throughout for optimal visual effects. Outside there are many unique features including fully animated rotors including rotor droop and blade flap, downwash effects, and animated control surface, doors, and wipers. Inside is decked out with an almost fully interactive cockpit, featuring Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite. The MFDs have map capabilities that can display maps from various providers and in both light and dark modes. The cockpit displays also have an integrated weather radar and either a Garmin GTN750 or TDS GTNXi. A 4-axis autopilot has been modelled, helping to keep the helicopter stable in various conditions with an automatic hover mode, automatic level-off to avoid controlled flight into terrain, and full ILS capabilities. HPG’s Action Pack is an expansion to the Base Pack, and introduces a further 5 rescue and utility H145 variants; HEMS, Search and Rescue, firefighting, Coast Guard, and Offshore Utility. Again, each variant has bespoke exterior and interior modelling with appropriate mission-specific equipment installed, such as a hoist, bambi bucket, or stretcher with associated medical equipment. The HPG H145 Base Pack is available now from the HPG store for $42.99 USD. The H145 Action Pack expansion is also available now from the HPG store for $35.00 USD. Version 1.0 Updates Base Pack: Hype Radio Various bug fixes Action Pack: Launch of Offshore and Cargo variants Hoisting to moving targets 4 new realistic worldwide liveries Included missions, functional cargo hook, audio guidance, sinking boats and much more.
Enjoy flying to this popular Gulf Coast vacation destination. Fly2High has just released Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. A popular summer vacation destination along the Gulf Coast of the United States, KVPS promises stunning approaches along this beautiful coastal setting. The airport is located within Eglin Air Force Base near the town of Destin and Fort Walton Beach in Okaloosa County, Florida. Undergoing a series of name changes, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport was most recently known as Okaloosa Regional Airport until 2008. The airport is unique in that only commercial air traffic is allowed, while non-commercial general aviation must use the nearby Destin Executive Airport. Fly2High has created this airport scenery using PBR materials throughout along with realistic apron clutter and customized airport detail. There are animated flags, antenna, and passengers walking outside. While the airport does not include any interior modeling, the exterior appears to be fully modeled in an accurate representation of the terminal area and buildings. Fly2High has even modeled the Air Force Base, providing users with an area to operate their military aircraft. Fly2High now has a handful of sceneries available through Flightsim.to, including two additional popular destinations within the US – Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Southwest Florida International Airport. KVPS is available for purchase through Flightsim.to for $8.99.
A comprehensive feature set awaits MSFS simmers Sky4Sim, the developer of the successful Sky4Sim Pad EFB addon for Microsoft Flight Simulator, has announced a new free version of their tablet will be available on October 25th. In a blog post published on October 5th, the developer announced their existing Sky4Sim Pad product will be broken up into new ‘premium’ and ‘free’ versions. Existing customers of the Sky4Sim Pad should be immediately and automatically gain access to the premium product offering. An EFB (electronic flight bag) is an electronic information management system (normally a tablet computer) that helps flight crews perform flight management tasks more easily and efficiently with less paper. For those who are not already Sky4Sim customers, the Sky4Sim Pad allows users to see their live in-game position overlaid onto a variety of Bing Maps layers such as satellite, night, roads and more. There are also options to overlay navaids and airports (with options to filter by ILS and night lighting availability). In addition, the Sky4Sim pad allows users to view weather reports, build or upload a flight plan, take notes, and keep a pilot logbook. All of these features will now be available in the free version of the Sky4Sim Pad, which Sky4Sim has announced will be released on October 25th. Earlier this year Sky4Sim became an official partner of Neofly4, with the latter’s in-game “career mode” addon being integrated into the Sky4Sim Pad’s existing user interface. The new premium tier of the Sky4Sim Pad will offer all the aforementioned features, along with the ability to upload and read PDF charts, manage multiple documents, get real-time weather information at airports with weather reporting systems, flight plan sharing, and integration into the existing Microsoft Flight Simulator bush-trip mode. The premium version of the Sky4Sim Pad is on sale now and retails at a one off price of $16.90. For VFR pilots, the ability to overlay live position onto satellite imagery may make the Sky4Sim pad a compelling option for low-and-slow flying. For additional information, visit the Sky4Sim website.
The best Study Level Cessna 172 to date is now available for X-Plane 12. Developer AirfoilLabs recently updated their highly popular study level Cessna 172S NG for X-Plane 12, included in the update is a brand new flight model for X-Plane 12, reworked internal 3d model including texturing, X-Plane 12 rain effects and more. The Cessna 172 is one of the most successful single-engined aircraft in history, with over 44,000 units being produced since its first flight in 1955. Still in production today, the 172 looks very much the same as it did off the production line in the 1950s. The 172 remains predominant in flight training schools around the world, with it being designed to be super easy to fly and to handle those bumpy first-time landings with ease. Owned and loved by private pilots at each corner of the globe, many believe the 172 to be the best aircraft they’ve flown. You can purchase the AirfoilLabs Cessna 172S NG on the X-Plane Store for $49.95. Features New X-Plane 12 Features Reworked Internal 3d model and textures Brand new X-Plane 12 flight model Internal Camera Enhancements (G-Forces) – Immersive camera effects out of the box Complex External Camera Enhancements Toe Brakes Smoothing Option for a better experience Full VR compatibility No bezels Garmin Displays commands for cockpit builders (RealSimGear, etc.) XJet now works also on Apple Silicon PCs (Arm) X-Plane 12 Rain Effects 3D Model 3D Model based on real aircraft and rebuilt from the ground up Exquisite PBR Texturing Lycoming IO-360-L2A with all engine parts Engine Heater, GPU, Refueling details, Fuel Sampling, Oil Management Covers, Chocks, Tiedowns Interior with many animations, vibrations, zero-G floating objects, baggage, and more Damaged Aircraft Parts Many detailed passengers and pilots Rain, Fogging, Icing, Broken Windshield Custom Particles Effects 48 Liveries Countless additional details, features, and animation HDR Lighting System FMOD Sound More than 320 sounds + detailed, layered engine samples with audible failures simulation Many actual aircraft recording sessions All animations, movements, and situations produce sounds Weather effects outside and inside of the aircraft Flight Model Based on actual aircraft flight recordings Performance tuned and correlated with performance tables Behaviour details consulted with Pilots and Flight Instructors Additional custom behaviour: Stall and Spin, Soft Field Takeoff, Crosswind Ground Operations Lift, Drag, Moment Forces Airfoils Data customized by internal plugin-based tweaker Detailed Damage Simulation as Bending of the wings, Overspeed Flutter, Flaps damage, etc. Wing Tail and Fuselage ground strike simulation. Flight Model is influenced by – Vortex Generators, Flap Gap Seals, Bush Wheels, Fairings, Broken Windshield, etc. Aircraft Systems Custom Fuel System Simulation, including fuel flow and individual components logic and failures Landing Gear plugin-based tuning of forces, including Side Moments, Skidding, and more Detailed Landing Gear Damage – Bending Struts, Tire Wear, Flat Tire, Brakes, etc. Flight Controls Damage simulation Electrical System Plugin Based Custom Electrical System designed according to real C172 Electrical Scheme Simulating All Circuit Breakers, Electrical Components Failures, Short Circuits Custom Busses, Fuses, Corrected Voltages, Amps, Batteries, behaviours, etc. Electrical Scheme 2D Panel with live states Engine Logic Plugin Based Custom Engine Components Simulation and Wear Per Cylinder Simulation of Temperatures, Wear and Failures Custom Oil Temperature, Pressure Simulation Custom Per Cylinder EGT simulation 2 Magnetos and 8 Individual Spark Plugs Simulations Spark Plugs Fouling Simulation Additional Engine Components Wear and Failure Simulation (Air Intake, Fuel Pump, Exhaust, Fuel/Air Control Unit, Fuel Flow Transducer, Oil Filter, etc.) Failure Management System and Scenarios Saving Custom Plugin-Based Failure Management System 175 Individual Components Simulated Each Ai...
Sierrasim Simulation releases their latest Bahamian scenery for P3D P3D users received much-welcomed news from scenery developer Sierrasim with the release of Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN) for P3DV4.5 and V5. After releasing the same airport for MSFS, Sierrasim announced on social media that they would bring the gateway to the Bahamas to P3D. One of the busiest airports in the Caribbean, Lynden Pindling International primarily serves the Bahamian capital city of Nassau and operates as a hub for Bahamasair, Western Air, and Pineapple air. The airport was previously known as Nassau International Airport but was renamed to its current name to honor the first prime minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Before the pandemic, the airport served 4 million passengers annually. In addition to the wide variety of airline services from North America, the airport sees widebody service from British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to London. Looking at the photo previews, it is clear that Sierrasim has put a great deal of detail into the airport’s exterior modeling and ground textures. All buildings and vehicles feature PBR texturing, which goes nicely with the autogen surrounding the airport. The terminal buildings are equipped with SODE jetways, as well as dynamic night lighting. Overall, with the detailed exterior modeling, ground textures, and crystal blue water, users truly feel like they are flying into Nassau. You can purchase Sierrasim Simulation’s newest scenery directly from their website for $16.00 USD. Features Ground Images Autogen PBR textures for buildings, vehicles, etc. Airport objects Optimized for good performance Night lighting SODE jetways and objects Static traffic Dynamic night lighting 3D grass Taxiway 3D lights
Origami Studios has released their newest scenery, London Heathrow for X-Plane 12. Just days after announcing London Heathrow Airport for X-Plane 12, developer Origami Studios has now released the scenery. With over 180 destinations around the world, there are plenty of flights available to explore flying in and out of Heathrow. Origami Studios has created custom-made buildings, that accurately depict the 5 passenger terminals and cargo hub at Heathrow as well as custom ground vehicles and signage. For X-Plane 12, Origami Studios have created tailored weather maps so that pilots see the effects of the weather on the ground too. London Heathrow is available to purchase now from the iniBuilds store for £21.99 (plus taxes). Features Custom-made Terminals, including Terminal 5 with 3D interior effect, and Terminals 4, 3 and 2 Custom static ground vehicles Custom ground markings and taxi signage Custom landside POIs (including the iconic Concorde) Aggressive optimisation including model LODs and texture compression X-Plane 12 tailored weather maps, see rain, snow and ice accumulate correctly X-Plane 12 tailored lighting Seamless integration with Orbx True-earth and custom ortho-imagery (Optional) Experimental 3D moving grass effect. (X-Plane 12 only) SAM Jetway integration with custom sound
O.R. Tambo International Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Scenery developer GafferSimulations has brought us O.R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Just in time for the annual Vatsim event – Cross the Pond Eastbound, O.R. Tambo International Airport is a major airport serving Johannesburg, South Africa. It is the primary airport for domestic and international traffic to and from South Africa and is currently Africa’s biggest and busiest airport. With over 76 international destinations and 18 domestic, the airport sees over 20 million passengers each year. The national flag carrier of South Africa, South African Airways, calls O.R. Tambo it’s home. GafferSimulations rendition of the airport includes an accurately detailed interior and exterior of the main terminals, highly detailed models of all other airport buildings and objects, custom jetways and performance optimisation. You can purchase O.R. Tambo International Airport from SimMarket for €18.00 (Excluding VAT) here. Features Hand-made ground polygons Accurately modelled interior and exterior Highly detailed models of all airport buildings, objects Main airport terminal interior with lighting and custom objects Custom-built jetways with PBR texturing and animations Level of Detail (LOD) optimisation
A new Turkish delight to explore. Developer ST Simulations has released Gazipasa-Alanya Airport (LTFG) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Located 40km from Alanya in the south of Turkey, the airport was originally finished in 1999 but did open for operations. In 2007 the airport was upgraded and the single runway lengthened to 7710ft. Gazipasa-Alanya currently has scheduled flights to destinations across Turkey and Scandinavia. Gazipasa-Alanya airport is available to buy now from SimMarket for EUR 14.58. Features Gazipasa-Alanya Airport Terminal Model Custom ATC Tower Intensive terraforming work. Accurate runway and apron slope Many Airport Buildings Highly Detailed Textures, Physically Based Rendering (PBR), Reflective and Realistic Textures Realistic and Highly Detailed Representation of the Airport Realistic Runway and Taxiway Markings A lot of custom objects, models and details for the environment
Syracuse Hancock International Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Only a few months since their popular Boise Airport release, Verticalsim has brought us Syracuse Hancock International Airport (KSYR) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Syracuse Hancock International Airport is a medium-sized airport located five miles northeast of downtown Syracuse in the State of New York. The airport mainly serves domestic carriers with over 25 destinations across the US, cargo carriers such as FedEx and UPS also serve Syracuse on a regular basis. The airport includes a full 1:1 interior on the landside, air sides, rotunda overlook, & control tower. HD texturing of the terminal and surrounding buildings, custom jetways, realistic ground markings, animated passengers, airline codes for all gates and custom ai traffic taxi routing. You can purchase Syracuse Hancock International Airport from Contrail for £15.46 (excluding VAT) here. It is also available on SimMarket here. Features Full 1:1 interior on landside, air sides, rotunda overlook, & control tower 3D animated people (terminal & control tower) 2022 accurate layout Custom taxi signage Several animations: ASR & cargo radar, Wig-Wags/Runway Guard Lights, AC fans, ATC controllers Usage of parallax materials on non-essential buildings for performance Taxi/ATC routing/network for AI & Airline codes for gates Every building created on airport grounds in HD Static MQ-9 Reaper w/174th Attack Wing Livery
Just Flight's latest update examines new aircraft systems' modelling Flight simulation addon developer Just Flight has published a development update examining their upcoming Avro RJ quad-jet airliner for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The update goes into some depth in regards to the new aircraft’s systems coding compared to the British Aerospace 146 which Just Flight released in May of this year. All 20 of the digital displays that you can find in the Avro RJ are now modelled and showing readings. Work has also been completed on the aft centre console, which features VHF COM and ADF controllers, a new transponder, flight data recorder, ELT, flight deck door controls and brake temperature indicator. Simulator pilots seeking a more modern cockpit setup will be right at home using these features, which are also present in popular 21st century airliners. In addition, Just Flight have confirmed that the Avro RJ Professional will ship with 30 new liveries at launch, covering the RJ70, 85 and 100 variants. The team say that a lot of work has gone into getting the finer details such as rivet and label placements as true to life as possible. Just Flight are also in the process of developing a Fokker F28, PA-38 Tomahawk, and a new traffic injector program called FS Traffic. The update signs off with an optimistic assessment that Just Flight aim to share preview videos of the new systems in the coming weeks. FSElite will bring you all the latest news on this upcoming aircraft as we receive it. You can read Just Flight’s development update in full here.
A new category of flight for MSFS? UK2000 has been developing scenery for various Flight Simulators for a number of years, typically focusing on enhancing airports around the United Kingdom. However, more recent releases have been airports within the United States of America. The latest, Spaceport America, is available now. Located in New Mexico, 45 miles north of Las Cruces and 20 miles southeast of Truth or Consequences, Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world with capabilities to launch spacecraft vertically and horizontally with its single 12,000ft runway. The site is home to a number of high-profile space industry companies with the most notable being Virgin Galactic with its distinctive SpaceShipTwo spacecraft. UK2000’s rendition of Spaceport America is based on 2022 data and has HD photographic images with PBR materials. Detailed models can be found around the site creating a more immersive environment through accurately placed details. Spaceport America (9NM9) is available to buy now from the UK2000 store for £7.49. Features Full detail Buildings Realistic Ground Markings Hi Res ground image Stunning Night Effects High details Airport Vehicles Excellent Frame Rates Full set of signs Fencing Vegetation PBR Materials Internal Tower details Internal Building details and Open Hanger
Go retro with analogue gauges on Microsoft Flight Simulator's default King Air. Developer Black Square has released its second steam gauge overhaul for Microsoft Flight Simulator, this time for the default Beechcraft King Air 350i. Previously announced earlier this year, the overhaul includes an improved flight model, a completely new interior and a new panel which retrofits the default cockpit instruments with analogue instruments. This also extends its features to a fully overhauled electrical system with every circuit breaker, bus, meter, switch and knob functioning. Radio and navigational systems from several eras of King Air’s history are included, so simmers can fly without GPS via an original Bendix KNS-80 RNAV system, or with the Garmin GTN 750 (PMS50 or TDS). Also included are swappable radio configurations via several different radio navigation systems such as Collins CTL NAV/COM radios, CTL-62 ADF, GNS 530, IND-42 DME, CTL-92 transponder, APS-65 autopilot, and a Bendix RDR1150XL colour weather radar. You can purchase Black Square’s Steam Gauge Overhaul from Just Flight for £27.99. Features Model Accurately modelled King Air 350 interior ONLY (uses default exterior model), created from hundreds of reference photos, panoramas and technical documentation 100% MSFS native animation code for the smoothest animations and cockpit interactions using either legacy or new cockpit interaction modes 4096×4096 (4K) textures are used to produce the highest possible texture clarity PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials with real-time environment reflections for superb quality and realism Detailed normal mapping for leather, fabric, plastic, stitches, scratches, carpet and tooling marks, resulting in a texture resolution of 10,000 pixels per square inch (90.0kB) Extensive use of the new MSFS decal system for nearly vector-graphic quality of labels, arrows and exterior detail features Cockpit Greatly enhanced instrument panel detail compared to default aircraft with every label and marking in its place. If it appears in real aircraft, you can interact with it! Custom-coded steam gauges with low-pass filtering, needle bounce and physics provide ultra-realistic and silky-smooth animations as you’ve never seen before Carefully modelled components match the depth and character of the real instrumentation, based on reference photos, schematics and real-world measurements. Unlike other expensive Flight Sim aircraft, every piece of equipment that appears in a Black Square aircraft is modelled after a real piece of aircraft equipment and will behave the same way in its primary functionality. Every knob, switch and button is interactable and implemented, along with its respective electrical circuitry. Turn systems on and off or pull circuit breakers to see the impact it has on your generators and battery via the analogue meters. Many pieces of equipment respond correctly to electrical configurations with warning messages and diagnostic codes. Fully 3D cockpit lighting technology for every gauge and panel, with ambient bounce lighting for a more immersive night-time experience that won’t leave you fumbling around in unrealistically dark spots 4096×4096 (4K) PBR textures on the cockpit and panel for crisp instrumentation. Even see the fingerprints on the instrument glass! Hideable yokes, adjustable sun visors and other cockpit aesthetics All placards and warning labels from the real aircraft represented Systems Completely interactable electrical system with 12 buses and 165 circuits Selective state saving for radio selection, radio frequency memory, cabin aesthetics etc. Fully modelled cabin environmental (temperature) system with controls and gauges Crew/Passenger oxygen system that depletes according to pressure altitude, passenger occupancy and the biological demand of each passenger based on weight Electrical bus-tie, relay, diode, and fault logic, AC inverter logic and bleed air valve logic Improved turbine dynamics (ITT, TRQ, Ng,...
Origami Studios has announced their next scenery, London Heathrow for X-Plane 12. Known for their previous releases of the Scottish Aviation Bulldog and London Gatwick for both X-plane 11 and Microsoft Flight Simulator, Origami Studios has now turned its attention to the busiest airport in Europe, London Heathrow for X-Plane 12. London Heathrow airport started life in 1929 as Great West Aerodrome, a small airfield further developed during World War II. In 1946 it reopened as a civil airport simply known as ‘London Airport’ which provided air transport across the commonwealth after the war. Today, London Heathrow comprises a single cargo terminal and four passenger terminals which see over 78 million passengers heading to over 180 destinations each year. Virgin Atlantic and British Airways call Heathrow home and a further 92 airlines operate to and from the gateway to Europe. Although details of the features to be included in the release of Origami Studios’ rendition of the airport are yet to be confirmed, the developer has included a multitude of screenshots of the airport, straight from X-Plane 12. The current state of the development, judging by the screenshots provided, looks to be well underway with static aircraft, detailed terminal buildings, vegetation, ground vehicles and airport signage. Origami Studios has confirmed that the airport will make full use of the latest features of X-Plane 12 to include rain and snow effects, optimised reflections, moving jetways and 3D vegetation and forests. Although the release of Heathrow Airport will be much anticipated, there is no detail on a release date or pricing as yet. To check out Origami’s other products, head over to their website.
BlueBird Simulations shares some exciting news about their upcoming 757 for MSFS. Recently, BlueBird Simulations took to social media to share some exciting new updates and previews of their upcoming Boeing 757 for MSFS. For those unfamiliar with the Boeing 757, it is a narrow-body aircraft developed by Boeing to replace the Boeing 727. Known for its iconic Rolls Royce and Pratt and Whitney engines, the Boeing 757 was unfortunately discontinued by Boeing in the early 2000s. However, the aircraft’s payload and range capabilities have caused it to grow in popularity. In these latest previews, BlueBird Simulations showed off the detailed nose gear textures and engine/wing flex. These are also the first previews to feature the completed exterior model of the Boeing 757-300, the stretched model of the Boeing 757-200. In addition to the exterior previews, BlueBird took the time to answer some FAQs regarding the 757. First, the initial release of the 757 will include both the -200 and -300 models, Pratt and Whitney and Rolls Royce engines, and options for winglets and non-winglets. Second, it is now confirmed that the Boeing 757 will be coming to Xbox. However, BlueBird has not confirmed whether or not the initial release would be immediately available for Xbox. Lastly, the development of a cargo variant of the 757 has been confirmed and will be available as a separate expansion pack. It was also revealed in a later social media post that the team is aiming for a release in late summer/fall of 2023. While the flight simulator community will have to wait for this iconic airliner, these previews demonstrate the level of detail BlueBird Simulations is trying to achieve. FSElite will continue to monitor the progress of the aircraft and any additional previews that may be released.
One of the best turboprops for Microsoft Flight Simulator can now be flown literally anywhere. After a short while, SimWorks Studios has finally released the amphibian version of the highly popular Kodiak 100 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Kodiak 100 Series III is an updated version of the Series II, incorporating various enhancements such as the Garmin G1000 NXi and an updated autopilot. The Series III Amphibian comes equipped with a pitch-latch propeller, float ready equipment and is powered by the same Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34, rated at 750shp. It is capable of taking off from water in less than 1000ft, while still being able to perform short field operations and cruise at speeds of 160kts. Since the SimWorks Studios Kodiak 100 Series II was released late last year, the small turboprop has received continuous praise in the flight sim community due to its realistic flight model, custom systems, stunning visuals and of course a brilliant sound environment to match. Just like the Kodiak 100 Series II, SimWorks Studios has worked closely with Daher and real-world Kodiak hydroplane pilots to help develop and make the Series III Amphibian as authentic an experience as possible. SimWorks Studio’s rendition of the Kodiak 100 Series III includes all the superb features of the Series II plus some extras, four different interiors (passenger, cargo, mixed and summit), Working Title G1000 NXi integration, 36 liveries, custom animations and more. You can purchase the SimWorks Studios Kodiak Series III Amphibian from their website now for €14.99, existing owners of the Kodiak Series II can grab it for €9.99. Alternatively, it can also be purchased from third-party vendors such as Orbx and SimMarket. Features Accurate 3D model created from factory CAD data Amphibian floats and authentic cockpit equipment for their operation Functioning beta range 36 liveries Four different interiors: cargo, passenger, mixed, summit (executive) Custom animations: tail fluttering, working cabin lighting, armrests, air conditioning and much more! Full Working Title G1000 NXi integration Custom air conditioning system High-quality sounds recorded from the real aircraft PDF manual included in add-on folder
Palm Springs International Airport is now available for X-Plane. Developer Axonos has brought us Palm Springs International Airport (KPSP) for X-Plane. Palm Springs International Airport, previously known as Palm Springs Municipal Airport is an airport 2 miles from the city of Palm Springs in Southern California. Palm Springs is a popular all-year-round destination with over 30 non-stop flights served by a number of different airlines such as Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest and WestJet. In 2021 the airport saw 2,092,943 passengers pass through its doors. Axonos’s Palm Springs includes 4K PBR texturing, hand-placed markings, trees, dirt and other details. Enhanced orthophoto imagery is included and Axonos promises good performance even on low-end systems due to high optimisation. Palm Springs International Airport can be purchased from Gumroad for $19.95 (Excluding VAT) here. Features PBR material and 4k textures “live” airport through the used of custom ground clutter, dirt and other details Good performance even on “low” end systems. Highly optimised. Enhanced orthophoto imagery Hand-placed markings, trees, bushes, dirt and ground equipment High-resolution detailed ground textures Full support and custom scenery variations included (contact our support team for more info) Works with X-Plane 11 & 12 And more!
New information on the F28 and F70/F100 In a very brief update, Just Flight has provided some information on the development of their Fokker F70 and F100 aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Seating up to 122 passengers, the F100 was produced by Dutch aircraft manufacturer, Fokker, between 1986-1997. A modest 283 aircraft were made during this time, with 91 airlines and 2 Governments operating the aircraft to date.Also a narrow-body aircraft, the 85-seater F70 was developed from the F100. Just 48 examples were built during its short 5 year production run between 1992-1997, with its first flight in April 1993. Just Flight has confirmed that the F100 interior model and textures are now complete, as is the exterior model. Work is now focused on creating the numerous liveries that will be included, from Air France and American Airlines to QantasLink and British Airways. Development will soon shift to the smaller F70 with its full virtual cabin. Just Flight has also been busy developing the Fokker F28 and has recently issued a development update on this project too. The development images below show off the cockpit’s new, impressive 8k textures and night lighting. The team have now finished creating the virtual cabins for the four F28 variants, each with their own emergency exit and fuselage configurations. Finally, Just Flight have confirmed that the optional hush kits will be included in the release, along with various operator liveries so that you can enjoy flying this aircraft around the world.
A new update is available for the PAC P-750 XSTOL by Orbx. A fresh new update for Orbx’s latest aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available. The new update for the PAC P-750 XSTOL sees a number of improvements and fixes for the multi-use aircraft. Some of the biggest changes includes new integration with the PMS50 GTN750, along with additional effects and a new user guide. Pilots and 3D models will be hidden based on payloads, whilst there are improvements with the nosewheel turning and also the cockpit textures. A number of bugs have also been fixed with the update. Some missing sounds have been added, whilst a few animations have also seen improvements. The update can be downloaded through Orbx Central. You can view the full changelog down below. Orbx’s PAC P-750 XSTOL is available for $38.37 AUD through Orbx Direct. Changelog ADDED/IMPROVED Added optional PMS50 GTN750 integration Added engine exhaust heat blur effect Added user guide to package Condition lever logic has been rewritten Doors and agriculture hatch can now be operated by tablet Pilot and co-pilot 3D models will now be hidden based on payload setting Increased speed of map light dimmer knob Improved tooltip for backup elevator trim handle 55X Autopilot logic has been reworked to improve reliability Minor improvements and tweaks to cockpit textures Improved nosewheel turning at taxi speeds Autostart (Ctrl-E) now moves condition lever at appropriate time Autostart (Ctrl-E) now activates aux fuel pump FIXED Asobo GNS530/430 units can now be popped out into a new window correctly Fixed issue with cockpit door gas strut animation Fixed missing TDS GTNXi knob and button animations Fixed missing AV2 Circuit Breaker animation Fixed broken nose gear animation Fixed smoothing on nose gear Fixed cabin window smoothing issues Fixed gap in agriculture variant nose Fixed phantom clickspots when TDS GTNXi is disabled Fixed missing sounds on autopilot ALT and VS mode buttons Fixed missing sounds on SN3500 and TDS GTNXi knobs and buttons Fixed skydive masks not being double-sided Fixed reversed rudder trim wheel direction Fixed emergency exit decals in reverse order Fixed agriculture landing lights not showing as emissive Fixed duplicate mesh on agriculture navigation lights Fixed seats baked into cabin floor textures on non-pax variants Removed unused overhead pull handle on passenger and cargo variants
RD Presets also releases the Spanish airport for MSFS. Developer RDPresets has released Girona Costa Brava Airport (LEGE) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Airlines such as Ryanair, Transavia, TUI, and Jet2 fly to the Spanish airport on a regular basis, offering simmers the chance to replicate many intra-European flights. Being just southwest of the city, approaching the airport will give you some amazing views. The airport from RDPresets comes with a bunch of features, including custom modelling and ground textures, ground traffic and over 1000 clutter objects on the apron. You can buy the airport now from the RDPresets store for €19.99. The release follows the news that MK Studios also released the same airport on the same day. Ultimately, simmers will now have a choice between picking up the RDPresets version or the MK Studios version of Girona Costa Brava Airport. Features Realistic replica of LEGE Girona Costa Brava Airport Completely custom modelling and texturing with PBR textures on the whole airport. More than 1000+ clutter objects on the apron and surrounding area’s Custom ground textures, faithfully recreating the asphalt differences like reality. Performance optimizations. Accurate night lighting. Custom taxiway signage. Ground traffic. And many more. Available for MSFS 2020!
Navigraph has shared another teaser video of what's to come with Charts 8. A video from Navigraph has been shared that reveals a little more about the new IFR features that will ship with the upcoming ‘Charts 8’ update from the team. The new video, which is only a few minutes long, does a very quick overview of some of the new features that will be of interest to IFR pilots. To begin, there is a new IFR flight planning tool that allows you to create a route from departure to arrival, using the latest routes and procedures at the airports. A new route calculation tool will also aid in this. The new tool will also use the data to pick a more accurate procedure selector for both the SID and the STAR. Speaking of, SIDs and STARs are now more visual than ever. The UI itself is also vastly improved, with many new map filters and options giving you more insight into what’s around you as you fly. On the ground, a new dynamic airport diagram will help you navigate with ease. Those who learn through visuals will be pleased to know that some airport charts now come with photographic airport familiarisation. There are a few other cool snippets presented in the video. These new features, alongside the ones we saw for VFR demonstrate the continued efforts by the Navigraph team to make charts and nav data easier to understand and use for the whole flight simulation community. Navigraph’s Charts 8 is in beta testing and we’re keen to get our hands on it.
PACX For those looking to add a little more immersion to their flights through PACX, TFDi is excited to announce a voice packs expansion package. the expansion package will feature new voices in English as well as native languages, and will include the following languages: English (UK), Australian, Spanish, German, French, Mandarin, Japanese, Portuguese and Arabic. Although there is no exact release date for this expansion package, the TFDi team hopes to get this expansion out in Q1 of 2023. MD-11 Highly anticipated by many, TFDi’s MD-11 is steadily progressing. In some new previews, the team is showing off the virtual cabin that has been modelled with high detail. Work on the aircraft systems has also been continuing, and according to the development update, basic functionality such as heading hold, vertical speed hold, altitude hold, level change and speed hold are all functional. These modes lay the groundwork for implementing more complex modes. The team has also been working hard on the LSAS and RCWS systems. LSAS is a complex system that assists with landing nose-down authority, speed protection and pitch smoothing during the flight. RCWS on the other hand assists the horizontal stability by holding the roll initiated by the pilot or return the aircraft to standard flight envelope. For those eager to see this plane come to MSFS, there is some good news as well. The TFDi team is working on optimising and refining their code libraries for MSFS, and with Asobo fixing a critical bug in the WASM compiler, this has enabled the team to progress further. More MSFS updates regarding the MD-11 are soon to follow. For more updates from the TFDi team, such as an update about smartCARS 3, make sure to check out the full development update over on their website.
Catalonia's holiday airport touches down in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Catalonia’s Girona – Costa Brava airport, LEGE, has touched down in Microsoft Flight Simulator with MK Studio’s latest release. The single-runway airport located 70km away from Barcelona hosts a multitude of airlines all year round thanks to the airport’s location near to the stunning Costa Brava coastline. As a base for low-cost carrier Ryanair, Girona’s 2400m long runway features an ILS approach to runway 19, but only a VOR or RNP approach to its reciprocal runway 01. Situated close-by to high terrain, Girona is notorious for its tailwinds and stormy summer days. Pilots beware! MK Studios’ scenery boasts full PBR texturing, an updated ground layout and custom DEM mesh. You can purchase your copy of MK Studios Girona – Costa Brava at orbxdirect.com for $19.95 AUD (excluding VAT). Features: High-fidelity 3D modelling. Full PBR texturing. Detailed, true-to-life apron and surrounding areas. Current ground layout. Vibrant, hand corrected orthoimagery. Realistic night lighting. Custom DEM mesh. Optimized as per Microsoft’s standards for Xbox and PC.
Discover the world with this new amphibian aircraft from FlightSim Stuido. FlightSim Studio, in partnership with Aerosoft, has released the Searey Amphibian LSA for Microsoft Flight Simulator. “The SeaRey is a strutted high-wing monoplane with fabric-covered wings and a wingspan of 9 meters. The fuselage of the amphibious aircraft consists of a half-shell of carbon fiber reinforced plastic similar to a boat.” The aircraft supports Microsoft Flight Simulator technology such as high resolution PBR, windshield effects, icing and also interactive checklists. In addition, the plane comes with a custom sound set that is realistic to the real plane. An onboard EFB/Tablet will also allow you to see weight and balance, choose ground equipment and view your progress on a moving map. FlightSim Studio has also included a custom electrical and fuel system, alongside various custom-coded instruments. This includes the Garmin inReach, the EIS 4000 and the GTX320. You can pick up your own copy of the Searey Elite now from Aerosoft for €15.08. Features: Realistic replica of the Searey Amphibian LSA including homebuild experimental version Impressively detailed 3D model, inside and outside Multiple real world liveries included Custom realistic sound set Supporting native MSFS technologies like: Windshield rain effect High-resolution PBR textures Visual icing effects Interactive checklist with auto-completion Custom EFB/Tablet with various settings: Integrated flight plan data and moving map Real time weight & balance menu Simulated walkaround with interactive & animated check items like wheels, control surfaces, prop rotation and tie-down Multiple custom-coded instruments: Garmin inReach EIS 4000 GTX320 IC-A200 Custom electrical and fuel pump logic to reflect the real operation of the top-mounted backward-facing engine In-game checklist including custom camera positions and action item highlighting Several special features such as: Dynamic registration on liveries Custom yaw string animation Simulated autopilot to hold altitude/heading/gps course Anchor simulation to keep aircraft position in water Camping equipment
Rob gives us a glimpse what the team is working on following the release of the 737-800 earlier this year. Following a summer break, PMDG’s Rob gave a detailed update on what has been happening at PMDG HQ over the past few weeks. This includes new information on the upcoming 737-900, the universal tablet, the 777 and more. Starting with the 737, Rob said that a brand new update is coming out soon. The update will address a few issues and fix a handful of bugs. Whilst it won’t include the universal flight tablet, rest assured that work continues on bringing the tablet to the 737 line in the future. Rob does go into a lot of detail, but in summary, expect the tablet to feel modern and enable you to operate various aspects of the product such as ground services, doors, etc. For those waiting on the 737-900 release, Rob said the aim is to release it in mid-November. There are still some issues that need to be resolved, but that’s the aim so far. Moving on to Marketplace and Xbox, Rob said that the team are sitting on releasing the 737 to the marketplace for the moment until they’re happy with the release build. By entering the marketplace, PMDG wants to be in a good place to be able to support the influx of users. As for Xbox, PMDG is still waiting on C++/WASM issues to be fixed before re-releasing the DC-6 and future products on the Xbox platforms. Attention is now moving to the 777 for PMDG. Rob said that things are moving along nicely with the project, with modelling of the flight deck making great progress. Rob said that the team are basing this product on a mid-aged 777, so expect that level of wear and tear in the cockpit when we start to see images moving forward. There’s a whole lot more text on the PMDG forums, so be sure to read that if you’re looking for some light reading. Otherwise, stick with FSElite where we’ll bring you the latest PMDG news.
A new flight destination from M'M Simulations. M’M Simulations has again added to their increasing portfolio of airport sceneries by releasing BKPR Prishtina International Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Located 15km SouthWest of Kosovo’s capital city, Pristina, Prishtina International Airport has a single 3040m runway and is the only way air travellers can enter the country. The airport is served by many carriers flying to destinations all over Europe and Turkey. M’M Simulations has recreated the entire airport area, accurately modelling the airport terminal and interior. Outside, more custom details have been created to immerse you in the surroundings, giving you plenty to look at and explore. Prishtina International Airport is available through various sales partners such as Orbx Direct for $26.99 AUD or Contrail for £18.99. Features Accurately modelled terminal and interior Custom night lighting Custom parking positions Custom surroundings Custom people and animated objects PBR Materials Updated CGL Data Real World based terraforming profile
Take to the skies in this new and versatile XSTOL aircraft. Orbx has released their PAC P-750 XSTOL for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The aircraft, developed by Pacific Aerospace in New Zealand, draws inspiration from the PAC Cresco, taking its engine and wings and combining that with a larger fuselage and a modified tail. With its Extremely Short Take-Off and Landing capability, the plane truly lives up to being a multi-role utility aircraft. Orbx’s rendition of the plane features differrent versions of the plane with different capabilities. These include skydiving, agricultural, cargo and passenger capabilities. Orbx has accurately recreated the fuel and electronics systems (including some circuit breaker functionality) of the aircraft, referencing real world documentation. The systems in the aircraft include COM and NAV radios, EHSI, CDI and GPS allowing for full IFR flights. Custom coded electronics international gauges monitor the aircraft’s systems, and there is a convenient tablet to configure your aircraft and perform ground interactions. Orbx’s PAC P-750 XSTOL is available for $38.37 AUD through Orbx Direct. Features Beautiful 3D models and textures based on real-world aircraft and data Capable IFR avionics including 2 COM/NAV radios, an EHSI, CDI, and GPS Custom-coded Electronics International gauges for monitoring engines, fuel, and electric systems Accurate fuel and electric systems derived from real-world documentation including bus tie Almost all circuit breakers functioning Passenger and cargo variants with cargo pods and openable animated doors Skydive variant with unique interior modeling, skydive door, working skydive jump lights, and a pilot-operated door handle for high-speed descent capability Solid agricultural variant with unique interior/exterior modeling and an animated hopper door operable by the pilot Optional TDS GTNXi support Dimmable interior lighting Integrated virtual tablet to configure aircraft settings like ground power, display units, and avionics suite 13 detailed liveries of real-world operators
This charming Spanish airport is coming soon thanks to Orbx's Marcus Nyberg. Although Orbx has just released a brand new aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator, it certainly hasn’t slowed down their indie developers producing new scenery products. Marcus Nyberg is back with the charming Asturias Airport (LEAS). The airport is located in the North of Spain, near the Bay of Biscay. Due to its coastal location and nearby mountain range, the weather and approach at Asturias Airport can present quite a challenge to pilots. Airlines fly often to locations across Europe, including Madrid, Paris and London. Marcus originally developed the airport for Prepar3D, but for this release, he has reworked almost everything for the Microsoft Flight Simulator version. There are now enhanced ground textures, new ground clutter and equipment, new custom animated jetways, airside traffic and additional optional static aircraft. Furthermore, Prepar3D owners will be able to get their hands on the MSFS version for 20% off. Orbx has yet to disclose a release date, but it appears close to being released. Stay tuned to FSElite so we can inform you when you’ll be able to explore the Spanish city yourself. Features Full Asturias Airport in high detail and beautiful texture work Custom animated airside traffic by Nool New high-definition moving jetways Handcrafted approach light objects & taxiway lights Optional statics
Not everyone needs wings to fly, according to Hype Performance Group. Hype Performance Group continues to bring unique and interesting additions to our simulator. Previously with the release of a highly detailed helicopter, and this time with their latest release: Hot Air Balloon. The team has aimed to create an authentic and immersive hot air ballooning experience, while at the same time ensuring you won’t be bored for a second as you float through the sky. The balloon features a highly detailed 3D model, with high quality textures and animations. These animations include cockpit animations, as well as inflation, deflation, stall and collapse. There are also modelled humans aboard the balloon. Furthermore, the add-on includes an EFB that features several apps, including Little NavMap integration and an app to listen to nearby radio stations of the area you’re flying in. As bonus features, the balloon includes fireworks and the ability to create other hot air balloons nearby, making you a part of a bigger hot air balloon experience. Hype Performance Group’s Hot Air Balloon is available for $15 from their website.
Aerosoft's latest A330 preview video shows off the functions of their integrated EFB. In a video posted to the Aerosoft forums, Aerosoft’s Mathijs Kok previewed some of the features of the integrated Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) on the upcoming A330 for MSFS. While many of the features are similar to what we saw previously in the Aerosoft CRJ series, the video shows that the Aerosoft dev team is dedicated to improving the user experience and opening up new customization options. Highlighted features: Consolidated EFB User Interface: One of the key aspects that we see in the preview video is how Aerosoft has centralized EFB content onto a single summary page. This provides quick access to frequently-referenced information instead of forcing the user to switch between dedicated EFB pages. When more detail is needed, switching to the dedicated EFB page is easily accomplished from the top right of each section on the summary page. EFB Wallpaper: In what may very well be a first-of-its-kind feature for an in-sim EFB, the A330 lets users specify the wallpaper (background) image used by the EFB. This seemingly small detail opens up flight deck customization, such as using the logo of a particular airline or operator, in a way not previously possible. Aircraft Settings: EFBs have become the preferred method of quickly changing aircraft settings and cockpit configurations and the preview video shows that Aerosoft will continue to utilize this method for their A330. Users can expect quick EFB access to sim settings including altimeter synchronization, weight unit display in LBS or KGS, IRS alignment time, and advanced throttle calibration for both single and multi-axis throttle quadrants. SimBrief Integration: The A330’s EFB allows users to fetch and display Operational Flight Plans (OFP) and weather from SimBrief where it can be quickly referenced at any point during the flight. Further, we learned that SimBrief integration is optional and the EFB can display METAR and TAF information without requiring an OFP to be loaded. Weight and Balance: Similar to the Aerosoft CRJ series, aircraft loading can be easily accomplished via the EFB. Both fuel and payload can be set using the dedicated EFB page with the user having granular access to these values. The speed at which passengers, fuel, and cargo are loaded onto the airplane can also be toggled between instant, fast, and real-time. Once loading is complete, an aircraft center of gravity (CG) chart is shown to ensure the aircraft is operating within limits. Chart Integration: The A330’s EFB introduces the option of displaying NavDataPro or Navigraph charts. Searching for charts using either service appears streamlined and organized. As an added bonus, individual charts can be pinned to the main EFB summary page for quick access. Ground Handling & Pushback: One of the standout features we saw in the preview video was the ability to control pushback from the EFB using a top-down map. To set up the pushback, the user plots the desired route by clicking on the map shown on the EFB. When the pushback is initiated, the aircraft then follows the desired route.
IndiaFoxtEcho, known for a number of high fidelity military aircraft across a range of simulators, has released their latest jet. The M-346 Master is a twin-engine military trainer aircraft. The plane is currently in use by the air forces of Italy, Israel, Singapore and Poland. IndiaFoxtEcho’s rendition of this aircraft comes with several features. There is a detailed internal as well as external model, complemented by high resolution textures and PBR. A realistic HUD, MFD and UFCP are also included that have been based on a real world flight manual. Last but not least, the flight model has been recreated by publicly available data. IndiaFoxtEcho’s M-346 for MSFS is available for €25,- from SimMarket. Features Detailed external and virtual cockpit models, with high resolution textures and PBR effects. High detail texture sets, based on real aicrafts, for Italian Air Force, Polish Air Force, Singapore Air Force, Israeli Air Force and T-100 program. Realistic HUD, MFD and UFCP aircraft interface based on real world flight manual. Realistic and detailed procedures based on real world flight manual. Flight model with realistic performance and handling based on publicly available data.
A significant update for two Orbx products adds several new features and a whole new airfield. Orbx has issued a quite significant update for two of their sceneries: Stockholm Bromma and Malmö Airport. Stockholm Bromma Airport has been updated with interior modelling for the departure and arrival hall, as well as the old tower. Furthermore, Stockholm Bromma already featured the bonus airport of Visby (ESSV), but now the scenery has also been updated to include Frölunda Airfield. This is a small airstrip for GA flyers, which can be found just a little north-west of Stockholm. Malmö Airport has been updated with a functional VDGS as well as animated Type-T jetways. Both airports have also been updated with custom animated vehicles and a configuration option to disable static aircraft. The updates can be obtained from Orbx Direct. If you do not yet own Stockholm Bromma or Malmö Airport, both sceneries are available for $26.09 AUD through Orbx Direct.
RDPresets has shared a few more previews of their upcoming Girona-Costa Brava (LEGE) scenery. The preview show the terminal from both the outside and the inside, the ATC tower at the relatively small airport and the apron, which includes vehicles and some clutter. The team is currently working on the finishing touches to the scenery and a release date will be announced soon.
FS2Crew has issued several updates across a range of their products. Earlier last week, developer FS2Crew has issued some updates for several of their products for MSFS. The updates for FS2Crew’s Leonardo Maddog X, Aerosoft CRJ, FBW A32NX and Pushback Express all received an update to fix an issue with hotkey inputs being registered when MSFS is out of focus. FS2Crew: Fenix A320 received a larger update, containing several other fixes as well. The updates can be obtained through FS2Crew’s Product Manager. FS2Crew: Fenix A320 Changelog ADDED: NEW HUMAN GERMAN CAPTAIN VOICE SET. AUTHOR: “HADES”. FIXED: FO NOW TURNS ON TAXI LIGHT AFTER THE “CLEAR LEFT SIDE” CALL SHOULD THE FO CONTROLS LIGHTS OPTION BE ENABLED. FIXED: FS2CREW WILL NOW ONLY ACCEPT KEYBOARD HOTKEY INPUTS WHEN MSFS IS IN FOCUS. FIXED: DISABLE/HIDE THE “SET DOWNWIND TRACK” AND “SET RUNWAY TRACK” ACTION FROM THE ACTIONS LIST FS2CREW CANNOT CURRENTLY SET THE HEADING IN THE FENIX FCU. FIXED: PWS NOT BEING SET FOR TAXI IN/OUT. FIXED: CIRCUITS MODE. FIXED: SUPPORT FOR GPWS FLAP 3 LANDING. ADDED: TIME OUT OPTION FOR DELAYING QNH READBACK DURING DESCENT. FS2Crew: Leonardo Maddog X Changelog FIXED: FS2CREW WILL NOW ONLY ACCEPT KEYBOARD HOTKEY INPUTS WHEN MSFS IS IN FOCUS. FS2Crew: Aerosoft CRJ Changelog FIXED: FS2CREW WILL NOW ONLY ACCEPT KEYBOARD HOTKEY INPUTS WHEN MSFS IS IN FOCUS. FS2Crew: FBW A32NX Changelog FIXED: FS2CREW WILL NOW ONLY ACCEPT KEYBOARD HOTKEY INPUTS WHEN MSFS IS IN FOCUS. FS2Crew: Pushback Express Changelog FIXED: FS2CREW WILL NOW ONLY ACCEPT KEYBOARD HOTKEY INPUTS WHEN MSFS IS IN FOCUS.
Head to the west coast’s Mega Hub, Los Angeles, with the new release from iniScene. Following a few weeks of teasing, the team at iniBuilds has released their hotly anticipated Los Angeles Airport (KLAX) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Described as the West Coast’s ’Mega Hub’, Los Angeles is one of the busiest airports in the world. With a massive amount of domestic, international and cargo flights, LAX will certainly give you as a simmer plentiful opportunities to fly to and from the airport. Pre-Pandemic, the airport saw over 88 million passengers in a year, with airlines offering services to all parts of the world. Each continent is well served, meaning there’s limitless places to travel. Los Angeles Airport has four main runways that can handle all types of aircraft. Being near the city and near the coast as well, means you will get great views regardless of your approach. iniBuilds has been working on the airport now for quite sometime, with plenty of experienced learned from their recent releases such as Heathrow and Ibiza. With this product, the team were keen to ensure that LAX was both developed with quality and performance in mind. Included with LAX is a detailed rendition of mega hub, alongside plenty of attention to detail that locals will recognise. Interior modelling is also included for some of the terminals, including the international Tom Bradley terminal. Logos, taxiway placement and other elements have been made bespoke for the product and all reflect the real-world. As mentioned, attention has been given to performance to ensure that the airport runs as smooth as possible despite being in a dense location with plenty of traffic movements. You can buy iniBuilds’ Los Angeles Airport (kLAX) directly from the iniBuilds store for £19.99. It will be coming to other stores in the future (SIMMARKET and the in-sim Marketplace), but the product will always be cheapest to buy direct.
Burning Blue Design announces Little Gransden Airfield as the next addition to their suite of regional airports for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Burning Blue Design will add to their list of quaint airfields with the announcement of Little Gransden Airfield (EGMJ) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The developer stated that the addon airfield is almost complete and is slated for release in the coming weeks. Little Gransden Airfield is an unlicensed airfield close to the village of Little Gransden in Cambridgeshire, England. Interestingly, pilots flying above the airfield are able to see the now retired runways of a secret airfield operated by the Special Operations Executive during World War II. Whether this will be modelled in Burning Blue Design’s rendition is yet to be seen. In addition to Little Gransden Airfield, Burning Blue Design also announced the early stages of two more airports; Fenland Airfield (EGCL) and Solent Airport (EGHF). Stick around and check back in to FSElite for news on when Burning Blue Design releases more details. Until then, go check out a few tasty screenshots that the developers provided of Little Gransden below.
After their Dublin and Cork releases, MK-Studios has released yet another Irish airport: Shannon Airport (EINN). Called Aerfort na Sionainne in Irish, the airport is the third busiest airport of Ireland. It sees a limited number of airlines with passenger destinations mostly in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. It also has several cargo destinations that take you a bit further over the globe, with destinations in Eurasia and North America. MK-Studios’ rendition of the airport comes with several features. Of course the airport itself has been recreated in high quality. The team has also included satellite coverage around the airport. The terminal itself comes with interior, and in the previews we can see details such as landside traffic signs and ground clutter and vehicles. MK-Studios’ Shannon Airport is available for $19.95 AUD through Orbx Direct. Features High-quality rendition of Shannon Airport EINN Up to date ground layout Realistic night lightning Satellite coverage around the airport Detailed mesh for the airports’ area
Marseilles Provence Airport (LFML) is now available for MSFS. Developed by FranceVFR, known for several other French airports, the scenery aims to be a realistic rendition of the real airport. The scenery features high quality textures, as well as high quality ground textures with a 50cm/pixel resolution. It also includes photorealistic 3D buildings. The previews on the product page show an attention to detail and atmosphere, with apron clutter and vehicles that help bring the airport to life. FranceVFR’s Marseille Provence Airport is available for €9,90 from their website. Features High resolution ground textures and detailed markings. Reworked 50cm/pixel resolution ground textures from IGN aerial photos. Specific photo-realistic 3D buildings. Vegetation reworked on the platform and its surroundings. Reworked realistic night lights on the platform. Respect of runway profiles and markings. Independent operation or in addition to our range of VFR FRANCE scenes. Geo-referenced setting ensuring maximum compatibility with future add-ons installed in the same area. Development process 100% compliant with SDK (System Development Kit) specifications, thus ensuring maximum compatibility when new versions arrive. SIA – VAC – IAC – APT – ARRDEP cards provided.
You can now take your Dream to the skies once again. Developer FlyFreeStd has released their rendition of the famous and iconic Antonov AN-225 Mriya (Dream). The plane is one that hardly needs an introduction, with it’s legendary status, iconic look and, immense size and amazing capabilities. The plane was initially built to to airlift rocket boosters and orbiters, but was later converted to a cargo aircraft. The AN-225 Mriya was sadly lost in February of this year when Russia destroyed the plane. It was the only plane of its kind. FlyFreeStd has referenced Antonov’s documentation to recreate the systems of the plane as well as it’s flight characteristics. The plane also features several payloads that can be changed via an in-game panel. The aircraft is available for €25,- from SimMarket for Prepar3D v4.4 and v5.
Together with World Update XI: Canada, Microsoft has also released the next plane in their Local Legends line-up. The Cessna 195 Businessliner is a single engine, high-wing general aviation aircraft that first flew in 1945. It was the last plane developed by Cessna powered with a radial engine, and the first one with an all-aluminium construction. Local Legend VII: Cessna 195 has been developed by Carenado, and is available from the MSFS Marketplace for $19.99.
An all-new business jet is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. A brand new business jet is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. After an extensive period in development, Cockspur’s biggest project to date is ready to take to the skies. The C510 Mustang has been a project of passion for the team and comes with a range of details and features that will give you an accurate experience of flying the biz jet around the virtual world. The Cessna Citation Mustang Model 510 first flew in 2005 and has since grown to be a very popular business jet, having nearly 500 built. Up to 5 passengers can typically fly, with the aircraft being able to reach a maximum altitude of 41,000ft. It’s also pretty nimble with a max speed of over 480mph and a range of just over 1,340 miles. For this rendition of the plane, Cockspur promises the aircraft has an accurate flight model, systems and other goodies that will make the whole experience fun. It includes an interactive cabin, visible passengers, custom engine sounds and various liveries. Furthermore, there are three different variants included: the Standard aircraft, the High Sierra and finally an Air Ambulance. You can buy the Cockspur C510 Mustang from their website only right now. In the future, it is planning to come to the in-sim Marketplace. If you wish to buy it now, you can do so for €24.99. Features 3 different variants; Standard, High Sierra, and air ambulance Multiple liveries Different static elements depending on the variant Accurate flight model Accurate systems modelling Built from scratch for MSFS Interactive Cabin Vissible passengers Custom engine sounds Extensive documentation Developed with help from real Mustang Pilots G1000 NXi integration
Developer UK2000 Scenery is back with a new release. This time, Gary has focused on Belfast City Airport (EGAC) and has brought it to life for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Belfast City, also known as George Best Airport, is 15 miles right in the heart of the city itself. It’s the most ideal location for those looking to travel to Belfast and want as little commute time as possible to attractions such as the Titanic Museum or the Bombardier factory. Airlines such as BA, Flybe, easyJet and Aer Lingus fly regularly to and from the airport. The airport comes with a number of features including realistic ground markings, new night effects, detailed airport vehicles and plenty of lifelike vegetation. There are also internal tower details, interior modelling for some of the terminal buildings and more. Finally, Gary has included animated jetways for that added realism. You can buy UK2000 Scenery’s Belfast City Airport from their site for £14.99. No doubt it will come to the Marketplace and other locations in the future. Features Full detail Buildings Realistic Ground Markings Hi Res ground image Stunning Night Effects High details Airport Vehicles Excellent Frame Rates Full set of signs Fencing Vegatation PBR Materials Internal Tower details Internal Pier details Animated Jetway
Nothing is 'eh' about MSFS' newest World Update. Microsoft has released the next World Update for Microsoft Flight Simulator, covering Canada. Featuring a wide variety of landscapes, World Update XI contains plenty for you to explore. Microsoft has included the latest geospatial data, elevation models, satellite imagery and aerial photography creating the most accurate and realistic version of Canada yet. World Update XI: Canada covers a lot of cities, such as Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and many more. A long list of points of interests has been added, and there are 5 enhanced airports included with this World Update. These are Bella Coola Airport, Castlegar Airport, Dawson City Airport, Deer Lake Airport and Uqaluit International Airport. World Update XI: Canada is available now for free from the MSFS Marketplace. Features Cities Abbotsford Calgary Halifax Laval Montreal Regina Saskatoon Sherbrooke St. Catharines Toronto Vancouver Victoria POIs A. Murray MacKay Bridge Absolute World Alex Fraser Bridge Alexandra Bridge Ambassador Bridge Angus L. Macdonald Bridge Banff Springs Hotel Basilica of Notre Dame du Cap Big Nickel, Sudbury, ON Biodome Bishop’s Falls Trestle Bridge Bloedel Conservatory Burrard Street Bridge Burton Bridge Cabot Tower Canada Cambridge Bay Radar Station Canadian High Arctic Research Station Canadian Museum for Human Rights Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Cape Enrage Lighthouse Cape Forchu Lighthouse Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site Cardston Alberta Temple Carleton Martello Tower Chateau Frontenac Chateau Lake Louise Citadel Hill (Fort George) Cloudraker Skybridge Columbia Icefield Skywalk Commonwealth Stadium Confederation Bridge Craigdarroch Castle David Dunlap Observatory Deh Cho Bridge, Northwest Territories Diavik Diamond Mine Esplanade Riel Bridge Figgaurd Lighthouse First Nations University of Canada Fogo Island Inn Fortress of Louisbourg Georges Island National Historic Site (POI+ additional lighthouse) Great Wolf Lodge Green Island Lighthouse Habitat 67 Hartland Covered Bridge Hatley Park National Historic Site Haut-fond Prince Light Hell’s Gate Airtram Inco Superstack Jacques Cartier Bridge L’Anse aux Meadows Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Lethbridge Viaduct Lions Gate Bridge Maugher Beach Lighthouse Maxville Water Tower Montmorency Falls Suspension Bridge Montreal Biosphere Mount Royal Cross Ocean Science Centre Olympic Stadium Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church Parliament of Canada, House of Commons Parliament of Canada, Peace Tower Parliament of Canada, East Block Peace Bridge Peggy’s Point Lighthouse Pierre-Laporte Bridge Pinawa Dam Provincial Park Playground of the Gods Point Abino Light Prince of Wales Hotel Prince of Wales Tower National Historic Site Québec Bridge R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant Regina Legislature Building Rogers Place S.S. Klondike National Historic Site Saint Jude’s Anglican Cathedral Samuel de Champlain Bridge Seal Island Bridge Skylon Tower Spirit Catcher Sculpture St. Thomas’ Anglican Church The Centre of Canada The One, Toronto Thousand Islands Bridge Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada World’s Largest Axe Airports CYBD – Bella Coola Airport CYCG – Castlegar Airport CYDA – Dawson City Airport CYDF – Deer Lake Airport CYFB – Iqaluit International Airport Missions Three bush trips (Vancouver Island, Newfoundland, and the Canadian Rockies) Three landing challenges (Castlegar, Barkerville, and Calgary) Three discovery flights (Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto).
More details about the 2023 event have been shared. FlightSimExpo 2023 will be held in Houston, Texas in June 2023 and the first concrete details for the event are now coming from the organisers. During the 3-day long event, simmers will be able to talk to experts, developers and fellow community members about everything to do with flight simulation. For the 2023 event, FlightSimExpo will be held at the Lone Star Flight Museum, but there are other locations where simmers will want to check out to get the full experience. Seminars and Schedules On Friday 23rd June 2023, there will be a full afternoon of seminars from a number of developers and speakers. Details on who they have yet to be confirmed, but FlightSimExpo says that these will be the “biggest announcements” of the show. These will be hosted at the DoubleTree Houston Hobby Hotel between 13:00 – 17:00 in a 500-seat seminar room. Following the four hours of seminars at the hotel, a welcome reception and social night will happen. This will allow you to meet up with fellow simmers and enjoy a refreshment or two. For those that are FSA Captains, an exclusive dinner is also being held just for you. Moving into the weekend, attendees will spend the majority of their time at the Lone Star Flight Museum. It’s here that you will be able to explore over 130,000 square ft of exhibition space amongst the 20 vintage aircraft on display. In addition to the museum itself, expect a number of developers to exhibit with the latest products, giving you the ultimate try-before-you-fly experience. If you then want to try some real-world flying, the museum will also be offering rides in vintage aircraft throughout the weekend. Your FlightSimExpo registration ticket will cover two-day admission to the museum itself, meaning that you can explore at your leisure on the 24th and 25th of June 2023. Of course, there will also be a number of seminars and events happening at the Lone Star Museum as well. Accommodation If you’re looking to stay in the local area, the FlightSimExpo team has worked out deals with two local hotels. Those hotels are DoubleTree by Hilton and also Houston Marriott South, both by Houston Hobby Airport. DoubleTree rates start at $109 per night, whilst the Marriot South hotel has rates from $89 per night. It’s good to note that the FlightSimExpo room blocks include free shuttles to/from Houston Hobby airport, free parking, free internet and also free morning coffee. However, there is no transportation to/from the Lone Star Flight Museum and hiring a car is recommended. You can book your hotels via the travel page on the FlightSimExpo website. Flight Discounts FlightSimExpo as partnered with a number of airlines already to offer some savings on flights to the area. Currently both Delta and United are offering a 2-10% discount on airfares. Southwest Airlines is also on the list, but details are currently to be determined. Full details are on the travel page at FlightSimExpo. Register for the Event Registration for FlightSimExpo 2023 will begin in December 2022. However, those of you who are a member of Flight Simulation Association will be able to get an early-bird discount and have access to the whole weekend for just $50. There are only 200 tickets at this price available, so you will need to act fast when registration opens. More Details More details will come in the future. As usual, stay tuned to FSElite when we’ll bring you the latest.
Pisa International Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Developer AmSim has brought us Pisa International Airport (LIRP) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Pisa International Airport, also known as Galileo Galilei Airport is the main airport in the province of Tuscany in Central Italy. The airport is served by a number of airlines with over 70 destinations in 24 countries, Ryanair also has a hub there. The longest route to and from Pisa is Dubai, at 1,749 miles non-stop with Flydubai. In 2021 the airport saw 1,999,137 passengers through its doors. AmSim’s product includes an excellent depiction of the terminal and surrounding buildings, high-quality texturing, animated jetways, custom ground markings, terminal interior, animated passengers and other details. Pisa International airport can be purchased from SimMarket for €15.49 (Excluding VAT) here. Features Animated Jetways Custom ground markings High-resolution custom ground textures, dirt and other details Detailed Main Terminal Surrounding buildings are fully modelled Night lighting
FSDreamTeam releases a major update to improve GSX Pro. Recently, FSDreamTeam took their social media to announce their latest update for GSX Pro. This update cleans up many bugs and adds new features to make the ground handling experience more intuitive. The highlight feature of this new update is the ability to designate a hotkey to bring up the GSX menu. By default, the hotkey is set to Ctrl+Shift+F12, just like in FSX/P3D. However, GSX Pro now allows users to configure the hotkey to whatever they desire. Another feature for the menu system is removal of the auto-close system. In addition to the menu features, FSDT added Iran Air, Iraqi Airways, and Al-Bruahn as ground handling options and several Japanese banks as jetway logo options. FSDreamTeam also addressed many bugs that occurred during the ground services. For example, this update addresses the service doors not closing automatically at the end of catering service, and ground services should no longer start when changing cockpit views with the GSX menu open. Finally, FSDreamTeam took to their forum to lay out the future plans for GSX Pro. First, FSDT hopes to integrate GSX Pro with the new Navdata API released in Sim Update 10, eliminating the need for GSX to keep and read airport cache files. Furthermore, there are plans for a new refueling animation that would properly connect to aircraft with lower wings, like the Boeing 737. Finally, users will have the ability to always leave the GSX open when using VR or multiple monitors and save the jetway floor height in an airport’s profile, which will prevent passengers from walking too high or low. This latest update can be installed through the FSDT Installer, or FSDT released a forum post with download links in the event the installer does not work. If you don’t already own GSX Pro, you can purchase it through FSDreamTeam’s website for $29.00. Changelog New: Menu system changed; Auto-close function has been removed. New: It’s now possible to use a Hot key (Ctrl+Shift+F12 by default, can be configured) to call the menu if the Toolbar icon is Active. New: Updated manual to explain how the menu behavior changed and how to configure the Hotkey. Fixed the PMDG 737 refueling example. Fix: Menu options keys 0-9 no longer activate with Ctrl/Shift/Alt modifiers, causing services starting when changing cockpit views with the menu open. Fix: Passengers created in Air when Boarding at Gates with Jetways starting inside Terminals with solid Roofs. Fix: Error when Reloading SimBrief if the wrong username was used or there was no flight plan available online. Fix: Error happening when returning to the Main Menu if Passengers were still being generated. Fix: Error with font displays happening when moving quickly in the airplane editor. Fix: Service Doors not closing automatically at the end of Catering service. Fix: Refueling stuck when closing menu before service. Fix: Error when listing nearby airports if the airport cache wasn’t ready. New: Added new Handling operators: Iran Air, Iraqi Airways and Al-Burhan. New: Added new Jetway logos for some Japanese Banks. New: Parking Spots with an empty Parking Name in the airport .BGL are now displayed as “Ramp”
FSElite is happy to announce we will be attending FSWeekend in Lelystad. FSWeekend will be organised on 5 and 6 November in the Aviation Museum Aviodrome in Lelystad, The Netherlands. The event will host a wide variety of organisations, such as hardware producers, cockpit builders, online networks and software developers. Attending the event will be Aerosoft, iniBuilds, Honeycomb Aeronautical, FlyByWire Simulations as well as the Dutch VATSIM Association and many more. A full list of exhibitors at the event can be found on the website of FSWeekend. Aviation Museum Aviodrome is the perfect backdrop for this event. The museum has a large number of aircraft on display that have shaped the aviation industry in The Netherlands as well as many other countries. The museum also features a recreation of the old Amsterdam Schiphol airport, but most impressively, it features one of KLM’s Boeing 747’s complete with interior for you to explore both outside and in. FSWeekend attendance requires a museum ticket, which can be purchased for €17,95. Let us know in the comments if you’ll be attending, who you’d like us to speak with or what you’d like to see or find out from the event. We are looking forward to seeing you at FSWeekend!
SeaFront Simulations next add-on aims to enhance the maritime traffic in the Hawaiian region. Developer SeaFront Simulations, known for many add-ons enhancing the maritime traffic in Microsoft Flight Simulator, has announced a new add-on: Vessels: The Hawaiian Islands. As the name might suspect, this add-on aims to improve the maritime traffic around the islands of Hawaii. Featuring leisure boats, including sailing yachts and motorboats, as well as luxurious super yachts, SeaFront Simulations will bring a new level of life and immersion to this region. Furthermore, with Hawaii being the home of the US Navy Pacific Fleet, naval maritime traffic has received extra attention. A wide array of warships can be found in and around the Hawaiian Islands. Vessels: The Hawaiian Islands will be the first add-on by SeaFront to include hard decks, allowing you to land on moving vessels. There will be several vessels including this new feature, such as US Navy ships and tankers. On vessels featuring a hard deck that can be landed on, you can find a marshaller indicating you can land here. No price has been announced yet for Vessels: The Hawaiian Islands, but the team did announce that it aims to release the add-on this week for both PC and Xbox.
Ant's Airplanes releases WWII biplane trainer for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Ant’s Airplanes, known for a variety of aircraft addons dating back to the FSX era, released the Tiger Moth on Microsoft Flight Simulator. This marks their second aircraft release for MSFS, followed by the Drifter Ultralight which came out early this year. The de Havilland Tiger Moth, which also happens to also be Ant’s Airplanes first offering on FSX, is an old biplane from the WWII era which served as a military trainer for many Commonwealth nations. Even today, an estimated 250 Tiger Moths can still be found in the skies, due in part to its popularity as a historically significant yet fun to fly machine. Ant’s Airplanes brings this classic aircraft to life thanks to the team’s access to a real aircraft held in Byron Bay, Australia. The airplane addon is fully modeled, including 10 different repaints, pilot and copilot models, a fully modelled engine, and more. The airplane appeals to all simmers since it allows users to select between easy or hard engine realism settings. In hard mode, pilots will need to monitor oil consumption and sparkplug fouling in order for the engines to perform safely. See below for additional features. If you’re interested in purchasing this spritely biplane, you can purchase it via FastSpring, SendOwl, or on Simmarket and the Just Flight website for $17.95 USD. Feature List – Fully modelled aircraft including the engine, pilot and copilot models– 10 different repaints– Full manual engine start procedure including engine priming and propeller pull– Autostart supported– Easy or hard engine realism settings– Highly detailed propeller animation– Low oil levels cause engine failure– Sparkplug fouling if below 900 rpm causes engine performance degradation– GPS available– Tablet available including user preferences, autopilot, manuals, and radio functionality– Various user preferences are automatically saved at the end of each flight– Customizable air intake type, pitot tube style, venturi location, show/hide the windy airspeed gauge etc.– Tail skid or tail wheel options– Customizable instruments– Removable engine cowlings and prop– Option of clean or dirty windscreens
South Korea's major travel hub has landed in Microsoft Flight Simulator. South Korea’s gargantuan travel centre, Seoul-Incheon International (ICAO: RKSI), has landed in Microsoft Flight Simulator. With four enormous runways, the airport has established itself as a major transport hub in the Asian region, handling well over 70 million passengers in 2019. Located on a stunningly manmade between Yeongjong and Yongyu islands, the airport comes to the sim with a torrent of features, including a stunningly depicted local areas, realistic coastlines using correct blending techniques and immaculate detail on the airport itself. You can purchase a copy of PacSim’s scenery from their store for $28.99. Features: Latest Sim Update 10 tested product Accurate Terminal 1 and new Terminal 2 buildings, Concourse, hangars, towers, freight buildings and airport layout Accurate Songdo City and major parts of Incheon City buildings/skyscrapers Custom Animated Jetways 3 type Video Docking Guidance System (VDGS) programmed to all gates at Terminal 1 (Safedock T1), Terminal 2 (AIDA) and Concourse (Honeywell) Latest High Resolution (7cm-30cm pixel) orthoimagery replacing MS version (Covers the whole Incheon Island) Accurate hand-placed autogen (vegetation) that conforms with city, town, district, parking, and farm grids Incheon Bridge connecting Incheon Intl Airport (Yeongjong Island) with mainland. (South Korea’s longest bridge) Fully optimized for smooth simulation experience New taxiways, runways (16 L/R-34 L/R) New deicing zones at north and midfield New Cool Cargo Center for refrigerated freight at midfield Added realistic coastlines using correct blending techniques Added wharf, fuel tank farms and buildings at coastal areas near Songdo and Incheon Island Added buildings and high rises at Incheon Island and near airport Added airport fire stations (south, east and west areas of the airfield) Added airport catering buildings and service/maintenance buildings Added grunge work showing tire markings on runways and taxiways
The "sport-utility vehicle of the air" can now be yours thanks to Thranda Design. X-Plane Developer Thranda Design has announced the release of their Cessna U206G Stationair. This versatile aircraft is commonly used for flying cargo, conducting surveys, and transporting up to 6 people in its roomy cabin. The U206G is also renowned for being a stable VFR and IFR platform that is equally capable of operating off of paved runways or remote, unimproved airstrips. Thranda’s U206G takes advantage of their “Dynamic Generation Series” or DGS which allows in-sim, real-time modifications to the currently loaded aircraft. This feature lets users change the configuration of the aircraft on the fly including saving different panel layouts and avionics, changing the aircraft livery, adding/removing the cargo pod, tundra tires, wheel pants, and many more options. The U206G is advertised as including high fidelity, multi-track sounds, and realistic flight dynamics tested by ‘multiple real-world active Stationair pilots’. Avionics options are plentiful and configurable and include the Aspen EFD 1000, support for RealityXP GTN 650 and GTN 750, as well as the Garmin GNS 430 and GNS 530. Currently compatible with X-Plane 11, Thranda states that beta testing for X-Plane 12 is under-way and compatibility should be announced soon. Thranda Design’s Cessna U206G is available on the x-plane.org store for $39.95 USD. Features FULLY configurable 3D instrument panel. Over 50 instruments to choose from! (Including Aspen EFD 1000, and support for RealityXP 650 and GTN750) Move any instrument to any location on the panel, or even between pilot and copilot’s panel! Comes with 6 panel presets, but can easily be expanded by moving instruments around, using a simple and intuitive interface. Enable or disable lighting posts per instrument. Lighting is fully 3D, and dynamically moves along with the instruments, as you configure the panel. Ability to assign a lighting index to individual instruments, to allow different lighting knobs to be assigned on a per-instrument basis. Save your own presets, and even share them with the community! Almost every instrument can be popped up or popped out as a 2D floating window! They can be placed on other monitors as well. Instruments can be moved in 3D directly, on a 2D pop-up preview window, or by numerical entry for precise placement. GNS430 and 530 can be swapped out, but a restart of the plane is required, as 430s and 530s are mutually exclusive in terms of compatibility in X-Plane Dynamic livery editor (like in the Kodiak, the Beaver, the Wilga, the Caravan, and the Pilatus PC-6) Full PBR control! Create stunning metallic liveries, or matte, sand-blasted look in mere seconds! Additional control over dirt/scratches, adjustable in real-time to dial in the exact desired amount of wear and tear. Create “virtual” liveries, based on two basic common design layouts (Modern and Classic), and assign any colour to any available paint segment. Quickly create a preview of livery in real-time, using intuitive controls. Previews include visualization of metallic materials and dirt overlays. Apply selected livery in real-time, right in the sim, without the need to even touch a 3rd party image editor! Option to change the tail number in real-time, or disable it altogether. (Enter a “space” instead of a callsign number to create a blank tail number.) Easily and quickly create dozens of paint schemes in sim! Also includes 9 traditionally painted liveries, all visible in a convenient pre-selection preview window. Uses SkunkCrafts Updater. Option to participate in Beta program, via checkbox in SkunkCrafts Updater. Excellent hi-res PBR realistic materials, featuring true-to-life plate deformation and to-the-rivet precision. Fully modeled Continental IO-520-F engine.
The popular RV kitplane makes its release debut in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Terrainy Studios has just released the Vans Aircraft RV-8, which is their first aircraft to be developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Known for their add-on development throughout the Greek archipelago and Swiss countryside, Terrainy has entered the aircraft market by first tackling the most popular aircraft in the RV lineup. The RV-8 is a light, single-engine high performance and aerobatic piston aircraft capable of a top speed of 190 knots while maintaining an excellent range of over 680 miles. The aircraft is certified in the FAA Aerobatic category able to sustain maximum G-loading of +6/-3Gs. The rendition offered by Terrainy Studios received input from real RV-8 pilots and is fully equipped for IFR flight. It also includes some interestingly unique features such as dynamic fuel in the fuel tank allowing for visible inspection prior to departure. Whether you wish to prepare for your next aerobatic competition amongst friends, speed along at close to 190 knots or challenge yourself to an IFR approach to minimums, the RV-8 has something to offer everyone. This aircraft will surely allow endless exploration and a true test of a wide variety of your piloting skills. The Terrainy Studios RV-8 can be purchased via the simMarket store page for a price of €19.99 Exc. VAT. Feature List Accurate flight model developed alongside real RV-8 pilots Realistic taildragger behavior Fully IFR capable cockpit GPS options, G430 (Asobo) and GTN650 (PMS50) Dynamic/interactable static objects Dynamic fuel in fuel tanks with visible level In cockpit tablet for static object control In cockpit physical checklist Simulated ice accretion on surfaces and engines 3D adjustable lighting in both interior and exterior High-resolution 4K PBR textures Optimized performance VR Compatible
IRIS Simulations previews the highly anticipated mililtary trainer IRIS Simulation’s has just given us our first cockpit preview of their upcoming Pilatus PC-21, highlighting their interior level of detail throughout a few different environments. A fan-favorite of flight simmers since FSX, the tandem, two-seat military turboprop trainer has entered Beta testing and is set for an early October release for Microsoft Flight Simulator on PC with an Xbox version to follow. The PC-21 will be IRIS Simulations third release to Microsoft Flight Simulator following upon the Jabiru J160/170 and the Tutor T.1. The aircraft will include impressive dynamic lighting throughout and highly authentic systems, making for a very accurate representation of the military trainer. The images below showcase the immaculate modeling and attention to detail of this amazing machine. Placards are shown with incredible clarity and the perfectly sculpted glareshields really bring this aircraft to life. The highly anticipated IRIS Simulations PC-21 will surely be an aircraft to enjoy in VR as well!
Find out our thoughts on FlyingIron Simulations' latest in their warbird line-up. When I switched to Microsoft Flight Simulator as my primary sim over Prepar3D a little over a year ago, I was a little lost. In P3D, I used to fly my PMDG Boeings all over the world all day long. In MSFS this was not yet possible at the time, and it left me searching for a new plane to like. Until MSFS, I had barely touched GA aircraft, but as a bit of a history buff, FlyingIron Simulations’ Spitfire drew my attention. After a few flights, I had discovered my new passion: warbirds. Since then I’ve added numerous warbirds to my hangar, including the previously mentioned Spitfire by FlyingIron Simulations as well as their P-38 Lighting. It’s hard for me to tell you what it is I like about warbirds, but what I can tell you is that whether you like planes for their looks, powerful engines, sounds or capabilities, the F6F Hellcat by FlyingIron Simulations has something here for everyone. FlyingIron Simulations’ rendition of the F6F Hellcat promises to be an authentic one, featuring high quality modelling, textures, a high quality Wwise 3D sound set and a lot of custom modelling of the systems to make the aircraft behave authentically and accurately. In this review, we will go into all that, but before we dive into the aircraft, a little bit of history about this plane; the ace maker, the Zero killer. The F6F Hellcat was introduced with the US Navy in 1943 to replace the F4F Wildcat. It quickly became the dominant fighter aircraft in the second half of the Pacific War, as it was able to counter the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero. Another reason it gained such popularity was its prevalence over the F4U Corsair. Though the latter one was a faster aircraft, the plane had issues with visibility and carrier landings, and as such, was mostly in use with the US Marines as a land based aircraft. The F6F had no issues operating from aircraft carriers. The version modelled by FlyingIron Simulations is the F6F-5. The -5 featured several improvements over previous versions, including that of a water-injection system for the engine. It also featured a more streamlined engine cowling, improvements to the windscreen and a strengthened body. The F6F-5 was the most produced variant of the aircraft. The F6F Hellcat is easily obtainable through FlyingIron Simulations’ own website. After payment you get a download link for a zip file which, once extracted, you simply need to move over to your Community folder. The plane is not yet available on the MSFS Marketplace, but will be in a few weeks time according to the developer. The Marketplace variant of the plane will lack any visible guns due to limitations by Microsoft. The manual, which is located inside the installation folder, comes in very handy for this plane. Not only does it contain your basic cockpit familiarisation, it also contains instructions on how to manage the engine as well as reference tables for power settings, fuel consumption, and speed. The aircraft also contains in-sim checklists. Reading the manual is quite imperative, as it’ll give you a lot of information about the most important part: how to manage and balance your engine performance and temperatures, including the supercharger, during your flight. Once you’ve loaded up the Hellcat in the simulator, you will immediately notice the high quality of the cockpit modelling and textures. Everything has been modelled incredibly well with a lot of attention to detail. The modelling quality is very high and I have not noticed any jagged edges, low polygon shapes or unrefined shapes. The development team has spent a great amount of time on making this cockpit look good. The same goes for the textures inside the cockpit. They are of very high quality and contain a lot of attention to detail (minus a slight texture duplication on the aileron trim). There are elements of wear and tear on some elements, such as the aircraft floor or the fuel drop tank release....
Drzewiecki Design shares new previews of their Newark Airport scenery for MSFS. Drzewiecki Design took to social media to show the latest progress on their highly anticipated Newark Airport scenery for MSFS. The project has been in the works for some time, but these latest screenshots highlight the latest work completed on Terminals A and C. Whether you love it or hate it as a passenger, Newark Liberty International Airport (KEWR) is one of the major gateways to the New Jersey/New York region. EWR Airport is one of the oldest airports in the United States and grew rapidly with Continental Airlines operating its Northeast hub at the airport. Since Continental and United Airlines merged in the early 2010s, United has heavily invested in new routes and facilities at EWR. Much of these new previews showcase the modeling and highly-detailed interior of United’s Terminal C. However, one of the most exciting pieces revealed is Drzewiecki Design’s addition of the new Terminal A, which currently under construction in real life. Unlike the original Terminal A, the new design features high ceilings, plenty of gate space, and lots of natural light. While the general public has only seen renderings and exterior views when flying out of Newark, it does appear that Drzewiecki Design’s rendition is an accurate portrayal of the new terminal. While Drzewiecki Design has not given a date yet for the release of the scenery, these new previews indicate they are making good progress and that a majority of the terminal modeling is completed. It is also unclear if the P3D version of KEWR will receive an update to include the new Terminal A. FSElite will continue to monitor the progress of the airport and hopefully bring news of a release soon.
First impressions of Aerosoft's highly anticipated Oslo scenery for MSFS. Recently, Aerosoft took to their forum to share the first previews of their Oslo-Gardermoen scenery for MSFS. The main highlights of these first screenshots are the terminal building interiors and the operation of the visual docking system placed at the gates. In addition, the screenshots provide a sense of what the interior lighting will look like when flying at night. For those unfamiliar with Oslo-Gardermoen Airport, it serves as the primary international gateway for the capital city of Norway and serves as a hub for Scandinavian Airlines, Norwegian Airlines, and more. While Aerosoft mentioned that these previews are just a first impression, we can get a sense of the immense detail put into the scenery. Between the signage and artwork displays, it is clear Aerosoft wants this airport scenery to align with its real-life counterpart. FSElite will continue to monitor the progress of airport and any additional previews that may be released.
Flightbeam’s own Mir has shared the first previews for their KSFO – Captain’s Edition scenery. KSFO is of course the ICAO code for San Francisco International Airport. It has been known for some time that Flightbeam is working on a MSFS rendition for one of their most popular airports, but this is the first time we get to see it. The previews show the iconic design of the ATC tower at the airport, as well as the front of the international terminal at the airport. We can see a lot of details that will be part of this scenery, such as cars, traffic signs and more in front of the terminal. According to Mir’s post, the airport is a complete overhaul and re-make of the airport.
New previews of this highly anticipated airport by iniScene. Announced just earlier this month, iniScene has shared more previews of their upcoming rendition of Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) for MSFS. The previews show the Tom Bradley International Terminal with it’s iconic design as well as the just as iconic ATC tower, among other things. But most of all, the previews give a bit of an impression of the lighting features at the airport as most shots are taken during dawn and dusk.
X-Plane.to now provides you with another resource to download content for X-Plane 12. Following the success of FlightSim.to, the team behind the popular uploading website has now launched X-Plane.to. The new site is geared exclusively towards X-Plane content, allowing Microsoft Flight Simulator and X-Plane related content to stay separate, whilst keeping accounts and appearances unified. The new website has already plenty of uploads for new liveries, tools and other enhancements that will allow users to customise their X-Plane experience. Nearly 140 new uploads are already present on the site, with creators uploading more all of the time. Those who already have a FlightSim.to account can log in with the same credentials. Likewise, creators can also do the same and can currently earn plenty of karma points for uploading new content for X-Plane. If you want to check out the new site, you can do so right now at X-Plane.to.
Orbx is introducing a new currency for their store. Orbx has introduced a new “in-game” currency called ‘Orbs‘. Orbs can be earned by purchasing products through Orbx, but also by completing Volanta challenges or capturing Volanta aerocaches in your simulator. Every Orbx customer will have received their personal Orbs wallet, with some Orbs already included based on your tenure with Orbx. Orbs can be used to purchase exclusive products through Orbx Direct. On the Orbs store, which will be updated weekly with a new selection of available products, you can see the current selection of products available for purchase with Orbs. Furthermore, according to the website, there will be Orbs exclusive products that can’t be purchased with money.
Experience double the frame-rate with the new DLSS 3 technology launching with the new 40XX series of graphics cards. Nvidia today announced their next generation of graphics cards coming next month. The new RTX 40XX series of cards promises vastly improved performance thanks to its 76 billion transistors and up to 18,000 CUDA cores. This represents a 70% improvement on the previous last generation cards. That alone would be enough to get people talking, but Nvidia also demonstrated its new DLSS 3 technology. Nvidia’s DLSS 3 is a new technique that effectively adds additional frames to a supported title to give a huge boost in the frame-rate displayed. This is combined with Nvidia’s Reflex to reduce any latency in the title, so that you get the benefit of a smoother-looking simulator, whilst having responsive inputs from your controls. What’s more, this also benefits games that are also CPU-limited (like Microsoft Flight Simulator), which could mean that DLSS 3 is a win-win for all. To demonstrate this new technology, Nvidia used Microsoft Flight Simulator in their keynote conference earlier today. The video (courtesy of IGN) shows over 100% performance improvements in various environments. This includes dense cities and more sparse landscapes. The new DLSS 3 technology is limited to the 40XX series of cards, but the differences shown so far are almost night and day. Of course, this is just a small sampling of the simulator and not running in scenarios where frames-rates are most impacted (think third-party addons in a packed international airport). The new Nvidia 40XX series of cards will come in a number of variations: the RTX 4080 (12GB / 16GB) and the RTX 4090. The RTX 4090 comes with 24GB VRAM and is launching on October 12th for $1599/£1679. The RTX 4080 16GB edition arrives in November and costs $1199/£1269, whereas the 12GB edition will cost $899/£949.
The Secret Studio releases popular Twin Otter destination, Miri Airport, to Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Secret Studio recently released their third airport add-on, Miri Airport, for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Secret Studio initially offered their add-ons on flightsim.to before shifting to payware add-ons in order to offer higher quality products as an alternative to their freeware offerings. Miri Airport (WBGR) is sure to appeal to many simmers who wish to fly routes in and out of Malaysia. Miri Airport, located in the state of Sarawak, is Malaysia’s sixth busiest airport. It’s a major hub for MASWings Twin Otter, which means that any owner of the Aerosoft Twin Otter may wish to buy this scenery to add to their collection of destinations for the majestic twin turboprop airplane. The Secret Studio added plenty of tasty features for this airport scenery including precision parking and custom boarding bridges in addition to audio and visual movement. For those who wish to fly realistic procedures, a custom ILS is available for runway 02. Finally, all buildings are true-to-life, as one may expect from payware airport scenery. If you would like to add Miri Airport to your collection, you can purchase the add-on on SimMarket for €16.
Discover the capital city of Nigeria's Kaduna state Africa scenery developer Make Africa Great Again has released its rendition of Kaduna Airport (DNKA) for MSFS users to discover. Kaduna International Airport (DNKA) is a small regional airport serving the capital city of Kaduna state in Nigeria. The airport is located 14 miles (ca. 23 km) outside the city’s borders and has been operating since its first opening in 1982. Today, the airport primarily sees domestic traffic, with Aero Contractors, Arik Air, Azman Air, and Air Peace regular visitors to the airfield. While seeing limited traffic for most of the year, the airport does see a substantial boost in traffic numbers during the Hajj and umrah months. Africa scenery developer Make Africa Great Again has released its rendition of Kaduna state’s most important airport for MSFS. The product includes, among other, accurately modeled terminal and surrounding airport buildings, 4K PBR textures, custom night lighting, custom orthophotos, and animated people scattered across the apron. In addition, the scenery also features a custom-made GSX profile, making for the highest level of immersion. Make Africa Great Again’s version of Kaduna Airport (DNKA) can be purchased via the developer’s simMarket product page and will cost you €9.00 Exc. VAT. Feature List Accurately modeled terminal and all surrounding buildings 4K PBR textures used throughout for highest fidelity Custom night lighting Custom parking positions matching with real life Animated people Custom Orthophotos Real World based terraforming profile Accurately placed static aircraft for the GA ramp GSX profile included
High Altitude, Reduced Engine Performance = Challenges Ahead. Performance-friendly scenery developer FSCGAA has released its recreation of Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ZMCK), bringing a high-altitude international aviation hub for Prepar3D users to enjoy. Situated at an altitude of 10’800ft, Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ZMCK) is the primary aviation hub in Mongolia, serving as the country’s primary port of entry. The airport is 52km south of Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, and serves as the central hub for MIAT Mongolian Airlines and Aero Mongolia. The design of the airport, which is supposed to serve as a replacement for the capital’s former aviation hub Buyant-Ukhaa International Airport, began in 2006 with the help of the Japanese government. Groundbreaking started in July 2012, and construction finished in 2019, three years behind schedule. Though ready to open for commercial operations in 2019, due to the advent of the pandemic, operations only started on July 4th, 2021, with a MIAT Mongolian Airlines Boeing 737 doing the honors of first burning rubber on the airport’s new runway. Performance-friendly developer FSCGAA has released its rendition of this essential Mongolian aviation hub for P3D users to enjoy. The developer’s recreation, in addition to featuring a highly accurate airport recreation, features high-resolution ground and building textures, custom-made ground polygons, dynamic lighting, and animated SODE jetways. FSCGAA’s version of Ulaanbaatar Chinggis Khaan International Airport (ZMCK) is available for purchase via the developer’s simMarket store page and will cost you €16.00 Exc. VAT. Feature List Animated Jetways (SODE) High resolution ground textures / Custom runway textures High resolution building textures. Optimized for excellent performance. Inclusion of manual in PDF format. Ground polygons made with the requirements of the SDK Prepad3D Dynamic lighting of the apron Shading and occlusion (texture baking) effects on terminal and other airport buildings
A new historic place waiting to be discovered. MSFS scenery developer Fly2High, known for their renditions of Fresno Yosemite Airport (KFAT) and Sofia International Airport (LBSF), has released their recreation of Wrocław Copernicus Airport (EPWR) for MSFS. Wrocław Copernicus Airport (EPWR) is an international airport primarily serving the city of Wrocław, located in Lower Silesian Voivodeship in Poland. Originally constructed before World War II by Germany, the airport initially only served military purposes. After a short use by the Soviet Union in 1945, the airport eventually became a commercial facility, with the first flights operated to the Polish cities of Warsaw, Łódź, Poznan, and Katowice. The first international flight was performed to Frankfurt, Germany, in 1992 only. Today, Wrocław Copernicus Airport (EPWR) serves as an operating base for several different carriers, including Ryanair and Wizz Air, and sees numerous other carriers jet off to distant destinations from its single runway, among them Air France to Paris, Lufthansa to Frankfurt and Munich, and Swiss to Zurich. MSFS scenery developer Fly2High has released their rendition of this historic Polish airfield for MSFS users to discover. The product comes with an accurately-modeled recreation of the airport, PBR materials applied to ground and airport building textures, custom animated vehicle traffic, internal terminal modeling, and enhanced 3D city night lighting, among others. Fly2High’s rendition of Wrocław Copernicus Airport (EPWR) can be purchased via the developer’s simMarket store page and will cost new customers €11.00 Exc. VAT. Existing customers who have previously purchased any of the developer’s previous products other than Sofia International Airport (LBSF) will be subject to a discounted purchase price of €9.00 Exc. VAT. Customers of the developers Sofia International Airport (LBSF) will be subject to a further reduced purchase price of €8.00 Exc. VAT. Feature List Wrocław Airport fully modeled Enhanced 3D city lighting PBR materials on airport buildings and ground (2K and 4K) Internal terminal modeling Custom animated vehicle traffic Apron clutter and customized airport detail Animated humans
Calling all South American adventurers – Next stop: Macchu Picchu. Low-End PC Solutions has released their recreation of Peru’s aviation hub, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport (SPJC), for MSFS. Situated at the foot of the South American Andes, Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport (SPJC) is Peru’s main international airport and, thus, by extension, the primary port of entry for most tourists. The airport is the city’s second airport, succeeding Limatambo Airport in 1965 after capacity constraints rendered the city’s first airport obsolete. Today, the airport serves as the primary hub for ATSA Airlines, JetSmart Peru, LATAM Peru, and Star Peru, among others, and sees numerous international passenger and freight carriers jet off to all four corners of the globe from its two runways. On an interesting side note, Lima Jorge Chávez International Airport is named after the famous Peruvian Jorge Chávez Dartnell. Born in 1887, Jorge Chávez acquired his pilot license when he was only 23 years old and acquired fame for setting numerous altitude records at the time, including by taking a Blériot monoplane to an altitude of 5’400ft and crossing the Simplon pass in Italy by air. Low-End PC Solutions has published its rendition of this important South American aviation hub for MSFS users to enjoy. The product, in addition to featuring a highly accurate virtual version of the airport, comes with custom mesh for ground textures, custom-created 3D models featuring PBR texturing, and custom-made photorealistic textures which can be downloaded separately for users wanting the highest level of immersion. Low-End PC Solutions rendition of the airport can be purchased via the developer’s simMarket store page and will cost new customers €13.48. Exc. VAT. Customers who previously purchased any of the developer’s existing MSFS products will be subject to buying this new release at a discounted price of €10.0 Exc. VAT. Feature List Project Mesh for Ground Textures PBR Material for Important Objects 3d Objects
PZL-104 Wilga 35A one step closer to taking to the virtual skies. MSFS aircraft developer’s Got Friends PZL-104 Wilga 35A is in the final stages of Alpha testing, according to a recent article published on Microsoft Flight Simulator forums. Originally designed and manufactured in Poland in 1962 by Polish aircraft manufacturer PZL Warszawa-Okecie, the PZL-104 Wilga was intended to be a robust aircraft to be used in various civil applications, including glider towing and parachute training. Initially plagued by design flaws, including a panel obstructing the flight crew’s ability to spot a towed glider when performing towing operations, the Wilga eventually proved to be highly successful, with more than 1’000 aircraft manufactured and sold throughout its production history. The Wilga 35 is a further development of the original Wilga Mark I, featuring an improved and more powerful Russian-manufactured Ivchenko AI-14 engine capable of generating up to 260hp. On an interesting side note, Ivchenko AI-14 engines sport 2-bladed wooden propellers that spin opposite to the conventionally used North American standard. MSFS aircraft developer Got Friends has let fellow enthusiasts know that his rendition of this famous Eastern European aircraft is now in the final stages of Alpha testing. According to the post on the MSFS forums, testing is progressing smoothly with few issues reported by users. In addition to focussing now on the sounds that are supposed to accompany the initial release, the developer has indicated that the team is also concentrating on recreating a variety of avionic suites, each of which is supposed to be installed in a particular version of the Wilga, spanning the 35A, 80, 80H and 80P versions. These suites are meant to show the numerous modifications that the aircraft was subjected to throughout its long operational life. In other news, the developer has also let readers know that their model has been shared with the X-Plane developer Pilot Engineer Team, who have taken it upon themselves to develop a rendition of the airframe for fellow X-Plane users to enjoy. More on that can be found in the following X-Plane forums post. As always, we will keep you updated regarding future updates on the development of Got Friends Wilga 35A for MSFS. More information can be found by reading the developers’ MSFS forum post linked here.
TSS has released the PW4090 V2 Sound Pack for Prepar3D. High-quality sound package producer Turbine Sound Studios has released its second rendition of a sound package focusing on Pratt & Whitney’s PW4090 engines for Prepar3D. The Pratt & Whitney 4000 series engines comprise a set of dual-spool, high-bypass turbofan engines. The series base model, the PW4000, originally designed to produce between 52’000 and 62’000 pounds of thrust, underwent its first test runs in 1984 and was first introduced in 1987 on several aircraft, including the Airbus A300/310 Series. The PW4090 belongs to a later iteration of PW4000 series engines specifically designed for the Boeing 777 Series and produces 90’000 pounds of thrust, only surpassed by the PW4098 series, which produces 100’000 pounds of thrust. Sound package developer Turbine Sound Studios has released its second recreation of the PW4090 engine and the sounds that it produces for Prepar3D v4 & v5. The package includes a wide variety of accurate HD interior and exterior sounds created using a new set of recording and editing techniques that use matched engine pitch values. However, prospective buyers should remember that the package is specifically designed for the PMDG Boeing 777-200ER expansion package. TSS rendition of the sounds produced by Pratt & Whitney’s PW4090 engine can now be bought via the Just Flight online store and will cost you $17.64 Ex. VAT., subject to regional taxes and exchange rate movements. Feature List All new recordings All new editing methods with matched engine pitch values External engine sounds Internal engine sounds New layered wind sounds
Goodwood Aerodrome (EGHR) has been recreated by Burning Blue Design for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Located in Southern England, the airport was originally built during WWII and was known as RAF Westhampnet. It hosted the RAF, RCAF, RNZAF as wel as the USAAF. It received the name ’Goodwood’ after the war, when the airport was transferred to a private owner. Nowadays the airport hosts a popular flying school, Spitfire and Harvard passenger flights and in general, a range of general aviation flights. Furthermore, the airport is encircled by a racing track hosting a slew of events and visitors throughout the year. Goodwood Aerodrome is by no means Burning Blue Designs first airport, and the scenery developer has set a pretty high bar for its own sceneries. Rest assured that Goodwood aims to meet this bar, with a high amount of custom modelled 3D objects exclusively for this airport, all featuring full PBR textures. The scenery also includes high resolution ground textures and animated hangar doors among other features. Also included are custom plane models representing the famous Supermarine Spitfire ‘G-IRTY’, ’RR232 City of Exeter’, a T6 Harvard and more planes stationed at this airport. As for the racing circuit, that comes with its own set of features: track markings, signs and barriers, a pit lane, spectator stands and a fully numbered paddock area. Burning Blue Design’s Goodwood Aerodrome is now available for £14.95. Features Over 200 custom 3D objects have been created exclusively for Goodwood Aerodrome, each with full Physical Based Rendering (PBR), allowing for far more realistic textures. There are tens of thousands of carefully placed stock assets, every sign, speaker, bench and tree, along with an assortment of ground workers and visitors, has been placed in the correct location ensuring an atmosphere of a working airfield. High-resolution colour-corrected ground textures taken from Bing maps and manipulated for consistency and realism which far surpasses the quality of the stock Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 ground texture. Based on the 2022 layout with accurate runway markings, taxiways and custom taxi signs and a working custom Windsock. Highly detailed control tower and hangar interiors and animated hangar doors that close and open between dawn and dusk. Full night lighting has been placed across the airfield and within and around the hangars and buildings. Correct AI pattern procedures and accurate taxiway and runway placement have been incorporated into the release. Goodwood House and Chicester Cathedral have been modelled and included. The Full motor circuit track layout has been faithfully recreated with marshall posts, track markings, track signs, crash barriers and rumble strips. It’s so true to life you can actually race on it. The pit lane and spectator stands have been added along with a fully numbered paddock area and additional shops, stands and amenities. The Jackie Stewart Pavillion, Race Control Building, Motor Circuit Cafe, Goodwood skidpan and Supershell Building have all been added and placed in their correct locations. Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX G-IRTY ‘The Silver Spitfire’ Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX RR232 ‘City of Exeter’ T6 Harvard IIB/T6 Texan G-AZSC Goodwood Flying School Cessna 172’s: G-HLOB, G-LOOC, G-DBOD, G-NXOE & G-SOOA. Goodwood Flying School Piper L21B Super Cub G-DRGL
GeoReality releases add-on that enhances tree representation over three continents for X-Plane 12. GeoReality capitalizes on the recent release of X-Plane 12 Early Access with the release of Global Forests v2 [Europe-North America-Oceania] XP12. Global Forests first made its way to X-Plane 11 in the form of three volumes covering Europe, North America, and Asia-Oceania. For their release on X-Plane 12, GeoReality chose to package all three volumes into one product. The package installs trees that are specific to each region featuring accurate natural forest tree representation with custom variation, tree density, tree type, and tree height. You can purchase this scenery add-on for $15 USD on the X-Plane Store. For a full list of features, see below. Features Accurate representation of the global forest footprint in X-Plane 12, according to global data More than 400 .for files, with unique combination of tree type, variation, density, and height, based on real-world data Tree type and classifications according to global data Tree height information has been analyzed from global maps and infused into Global Forests Seamless integration with Ortho4XP, or any other package that includes satellite images Seamless integration with default X-Plane 12 terrain
The developer behind the Cessna 414AW Chancellor is hard at work on a new aircraft. Following the release of the well-received Cessna 414AW Chancellor for Microsoft Flight Simulator, Flysimware is back with the project they’re working on next. On their Discord server, they confirmed that they will be working on the Beechcraft Sierra C24R for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This decision was reached as the aircraft is the “most documented aircraft [they] can get at this time.” This also benefits the community as they say it will also mean it will be a “study level product.” In terms of features, the team said it will have an analogue cockpit with choices of G3X / G5 / GTN750 / GTN 650 combo and the GFC600 autopilot. No other information was shared at this time, but we’ll be keeping a close eye on the information. Featured image sourced from Hangar67. Not an in-sim image.
Vestmannaeyjar Airport is now available to buy. MM Simulations has released Vestmannaeyjar Airport (BIVM) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The new airport scenery is a replica of the small island airport that is situated just off the coast of Iceland. With multiple flights to Iceland’s main airport, Reykjavík Airport, the airport is a fun destination to perform some short 25-minute hops in a challenging part of the world. The airport comes with an accurate terminal building, custom night lighting and surroundings, along with updated terraforming data based on real-world information. There are also custom animated people and objects populating the airport for a lively area to explore. You can pick it up Vestmannaeyjar Airport from SIMMARKET for €12.00. Features Accurately modeled terminal and interior Custom night lighting Custom parking positions matching with real life Custom surroundings Custom animated people and objects PBR Materials Updated CGL Data Real World based terraforming profile
FlightFactor has updated many of its fleet for X-Plane 12, including a new version of their A320. Aircraft developer FlightFactor has released a number of updates for many of its aircraft over the past week or so that give them compatibility with X-Plane 12. For the Boeing fleet, the Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 from FlightFactor have been updated with a new ‘beta’ build. Not only does the new build add X-Plane 12 compatibility for these aircraft, but it also includes a number of changes and fixes to further enhance the products. Changelogs, where provided, are down below. According to their Facebook page, the Boeing 777 (original) is also getting an update, but there’s no confirmation information it’s available yet. If you’re looking for new information on the upcoming 777v2 or their upcoming 787 Pro, sadly, there is no new news at this time. Moving onto their Airbus fleet, the team confirmed that their Airbus A350 will be getting an update soon that will bring compatibility with X-Plane 12. Perhaps the biggest takeaway from all of this is their all-new update for the Airbus A320. The Airbus A320 update greatly enhances the original product for X-Plane 12. In addition to compatibility, there’s a new 3D cockpit, implementation of alternate law, new aerodynamic effects, and a new instant failure control feature. The current release is a ‘beta’, but FlightFactor says that by the time it leaves the beta period, it will feature new weather and terrain radars, circuit breakers, anti-icing effects, and improvements to the external model. You can watch the trailer for the update here. This is all in addition to the in-depth simulation of the A320 already available. In order to get this update, you will need to pay an additional $20 through a new purchase on the X-Plane.org store. FlightFactor 767 – 1.6.1 Fixed some 3d issues, holes and etc in xp12 Fixed particles issues in xp12 Fixed some external lights issues in xp12 Fixed some rain issues in xp12 Fixed missed inner_glass.obj Fixed possible cabin pressurization issue in xp12 Fixed some displays reflection issues FlightFactor 757 – 2.6.1 Fixed some 3d issues, holes and etc in xp12 Fixed particles issues in xp12 Fixed some external lights issues in xp12 Fixed possible cabin pressurization issue in xp12 Fixed landing light animation issue in xp12 FlightFactor A320 – 1.5.0 Beta New 3D-cockpit model New aircraft exterior model Alternate Law implementation Updated Normal Law elevator controls Added inoperative systems according to FCOM when failure occurs Autopilot yaw damper for single engine failure Added tab for instant failure activation Added native rain-effect support Added turbulence effects Added drag effect from opened gear doors Fixed – Beta Target goes in wrong direction Fixed – Pump single systems are not displayed when DUAL HYD FAIL Fixed – Autobrake function must be inoperative on G system lo pressure
See more of Doha thanks to this new scenery pack released by IronSim. Scenery developer IronSim has released a new Doha City Skyscrapers Landmarks package for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Doha is a rapidly growing city with many of the buildings and towers finished within the last decade. As a result, the city looks modern and vibrant thanks to the new architecture. The new product comes with over 100 handcrafted buildings and enhanced night lighting across the whole city. Some of the included landmarks include Al Fardan Residences, Palm tower A, Palm tower B, World Trade Center Doha, Doha Tower, Al Faisal Tower, and Al-Asmakh Tower. You can buy IronSim’s Doha City Skyscrapers Landmarks for Microsoft Flight Simulator from SIMMARKET for €9.99.
The E-Jet Family v2.0 by X-Crafts is progressing well as this new video showcases. It’s been a little while since we last saw a development update from X-Crafts regarding their E-Jets Family of aircraft for X-Plane. However, this has changed with the latest update from the team and the newly released video. The new update was provided by the ‘Not-a-Newsletter’ email by X-Crafts, where Marko spoke about the complexities of VNAV. What was planned to take 2-3 weeks of development has taken over 4 months to get right. Marko said in the newsletter, “I’m proud to say that we already have a working code that gives us impressively accurate VNAV guidance. There are still many bits that will need to be finetuned and tweaked to account for all the possible scenarios, and generally to make it simpler and more reliable, but I’m now already flying full LNAV&VNAV flights all over the world and I’m having THE BEST TIME!“ To demonstrate how this all comes together in the aircraft, Marko and the team put together a full-flight video for the new E-Jets. In the 46-minute video, you get to see the plane in action, using the new VNAV and LNAV technology at work. Current ERJ Family in X-Plane 12 In other news, X-Crafts has released a patch that enables you to use the current ERJ Family in X-Plane 12. It’s the same plane, but simply allows you to load up and use the plane in the new simulator from Laminar Research. The patch will hopefully tie customers over as the wait for the ERJ Family v2.0 eventually gets released. It is planned to be released for both X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12 in the future, but there’s no ETA planned at this time.
Visit the island within Norway. Scenery developer Simport has released Sørstokken Stord Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Located in Norway on the island of Stord, the small municipal regional airport has a single runway that is just shy of 5,000ft long. Typically flights are operated by DAT to Oslo and Orland. Simport has taken care to recreate an authentic-looking version of the airport. It comes with 8K texturing, rich custom 3D models based on real-world images, and accurate terrain elevation and runway profiles. Furthermore, the team has recreated realistic night lighting, custom ground markings and also added a helipad. Take a look at the trailer below to get a good idea of the airport’s quality. You can buy Stord Airport by Simport from SIMMARKET or Flightsim.to for €10.99. Features 8192×8192 High-Quality Baked Textures Custom 3D Models Custom Lights Accurate terrain elevation and runway profiles Realistic Night Lights Custom ground textures, detailed markings Helipad (Number 99)
Over on Facebook, developer DC Designs has shown a few more previews of their upcoming AV-8B Harrier for MSFS. The developer confirms that the Harrier’s flight dynamics will indeed allow it to slightly ”bow” forward while hovering, something that was requested by several people. One of the previews indeed shows the Harrier doing just that. Although bowing will be possible, it comes with the side-note that doing so will be very difficult if you want to prevent the plane from climbing, descending or drifting. Adding to the complexity will be the way the aircraft responds to changes in thrust, with the Harrier responding to N2, adding a delay between changing the power setting and this resulting in engine power. DC Design also teased a new project, which remains a secret for now. The official announcement of the project will be made next week, but the developer did state that this project is a fighter aircraft, “one of the most modern and popular in the world”. DC Designs has partnered with another developer that will be responsible for the flight model, systems and other coding, while DC Designs will take care of the 3D model and animations. According to the post, there are already a few more products in the pipeline for MSFS on both PC and Xbox which we will learn more about in due time.
A new module announcement for DCS. An exciting announcement for a new module was made by the Eagle Dynamic team for DCS. Developed by a new third party developer, Crosstail Studios, the team has announced the development of an A-1H Skyraider. The A-1H Skyraider, dubbed the ’Spad’, is a single engine attack aircraft capable of carrying large loads of ordnance as well as long endurance, inspiring the Thunderbolt later on. The DCS: A-1H will aim to be the most accurate representation of this aircraft for any simulator we have seen yet. Due to Crosstail Studios’ partnership with the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, the team has access to two airworthy Skyraiders. The team has already spent a large amount of time recreating the plane based on 3D scans, while subject matter experts have guided the development of the flight characteristics and other key details. Furthermore, Crosstail Studios is partnering with Echo One Niner Audio Production to help bring this plane come to live from an audio perspective as well. Supercarrier A small update was also given by Eagle Dynamics regarding the Supercarrier. The developer is still working on the PRIFLY and Briefing Room of the DCS: Supercarrier. The briefing room will allow the briefing officer to display details, such as the F10 map, on a projector to all pilots. Planning information can also be shared across tablets. AI BFM In an upcoming update, Eagle Dynamics is updating how AI will behave in dogfights. AI will favour one-circle, two-circle or a combination of the two based on performance characteristics. This means that a combination of aircraft type, aspect angle and energy state will dictate how the AI will react to your aircraft. The AI will be able to better maintain optimal sustained turning rates and adjust its nose position to maximise this, or convert energy into altitude. Based on how fights develop, AI will become better at switching tactics and react more dynamically to its opponent. These changes to the basic flight manoeuvres are currently under development and will be making their way to the simulator at some point in the future. For World War II era aircraft, Eagle Dynamics is working on a different BFM toolbox that will see different and unique improvements to these aircraft.
Navigraph Charts 8 will add a range of new features as partially showcased in this new preview video. For a while now, Navigraph Charts has proven to be one of the most useful tools in the flight simulation community. Being able to access charts on pretty much any device means that navigating airports and the skies is easier than ever. However, this hasn’t stopped Navigraph from building on the tool to make it even better. Known as Navigraph Charts 8, the new update will add a range of exciting new features that many have been asking for. This includes VFR chart implementation, with visual reference points, flyways, avoid zones and much more. To also help with VFR navigation, there are new data layers with terrain, roads, railroads, landmarks, etc. The new Navigraph Charts will also come with 3D globe projection, improved airspace visualisation, and also airport weather and runway winds. The short teaser video below gives you a good idea of what to expect with Navigraph Charts 8, particularly with the new VFR features. Navigraph says that the new chart system is being tested with over 1000 users and they are putting it through its paces. More information on an exact initial release will be coming soon. Navigraph Charts 8 Features All basic functionality in the existing Charts apps, plus. VFR charts with visual reporting points, entry/exit routes, patterns, transition routes, flyways, avoid-overflying zones New data layers with terrain, roads, railroads, landmarks, obstacles, high points Data driven charts with 3D globe projection, with items configurable and seamless zoom down to airport/taxiway/gate level, and support for track-up moving maps Improved airspace visualization with clearer altitude restrictions Pinboards with auto-pinning of procedure charts Drag-and-drop route construction Airport weather (METAR/TAF) and runway winds
Take to the skies of Normandy and England in IL-2's newest release. It’s a great week for warbird pilots. Not only did FlyingIron Simulations release their F6F Hellcat for MSFS, but 1C Game Studios has also released IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Normandy earlier this week. Battle of Normandy is the next chapter in IL-2’s Great Battles series, which started with Battle of Stalingrad and has since seen several additions such as Battle of Moscow, Battle of Kuban and Battle of Bodenplatte. Battle of Normandy, together with update 5.001, contains several new features and additions to the simulator. Most important are two new maps, situated in Northern France and Southern England. Both maps come in two variations: before and after D-Day. Battle of Normandy also features a new career mode, covering 3 countries, 5 phases, 17 frontline states, 225 historical squadrons, 103 of which can be joined by you as player. Planes have been updated to include new liveries sporting invasion stripes depending on the time period, and several AI controlled ground vehicles have been added. These include the PzKpfw IV Ausf.H. Tank, Flakpanzer IV SPAA and a Gleaves-class destroyer. The update also features improvements to the damage model, Me 410, AI and tank crew among other changes. Another important new feature, or new features, of the Battle of Normandy addition, are the planes it includes. The addition includes 10 new planes for the Premium Edition and 8 for the Standard Edition. Hawker Typhoon Mk.Ib – British fighter/bomber, North American P-51B-5 Mustang – American long range fighter, Republic P-47D-22 Thunderbolt – American fighter/bomber, Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-6 Late – late version of the German fighter, Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-6 Würger – German fighter, De Havilland Mosquito F.B. Mk.VI ser.2 – British twin engine fighter-bomber, Messerschmitt Me 410 A-1 Hornisse – German twin engine fighter-bomber, Junkers Ju 88 C-6 – German twin engine heavy fighter, Supermarine Spitfire Mk.XIV – British fighter (Collector Plane included in the Premium Edition), Arado Ar 234 B-2 Blitz – German twin engine jet bomber and recon aircraft (Collector Plane included in the Premium Edition). IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Normandy can be picked up for $49.99 discounted price, normally $59.99) for the Standard Edition or $79.99 (discounted price, normally $89.99) for the Premium Edition. The game will also be coming to Steam in the coming weeks.
Australia’s boomtown city in the state of Victoria has dropped in the sim. The airport in the Australian boomtown city of Bendigo, the site of a large discovery of gold, has landed in Microsoft Flight Simulator. With two runways, this treasure trove of an airport offers a range of commercial and light aircraft operations including emergency services and flight training. Developer Impulse has paid close attention to detail on the surrounding areas of the airport and claim to have worked closely with airport management in developing their scenery. The longer runway 17/35, offers RNAV approaches. Or if you fancy a challenge, try the 767m runway 05/23. Needless to say, this unique little airport has a little bit of something for everyone. You can purchase a copy of Bendigo Airport at Impulse’s website for $21.95 AUD. Features: Full PBR Texturing 20cm Aerial Coverage provided by Metromap (Aerometrex) 100+ Custom Assets Detailed Taxiway & Ground markings 15,000+ Hand Placed Objects Accurate Terminal Model & Interior Realistic Night Lighting Interactive Hangars (HEMS & Bendigo Aviation Services) will open and close based on user distance. Corrected Vegetation for airport and surroundings. Custom POI’s– Bendigo Base Hospital (Including Helipad)– Central Deborah Gold Mine– Sacred Heart Cathedral (Includes Correct Night Lighting– The Great Stupa of Universal Compassion Custom Fuel Points Custom Airport Services Runway Guard Lights Custom Animations
FlyingIron Simulations releases the next in their line-up of warbirds. FlyingIron Simulations has released the next in their lineup of warbirds: the F6F-5 Hellcat. The Hellcat is a plane developed by Grumman and was introduced in 1943. The Hellcat was a popular carrier-based fighter aircraft that was able to outperform the Japanese Zeroes and was the US Navy’s dominant fighter in the second half of the Pacific War. The plane is easily recognisable by the powerful roar of the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp Radial Engine, or by its folding wing mechanism when parked on the deck of aircraft carriers. FlyingIron Simulations rendition of the Hellcat promises to be an authentic one, with highly detailed modelling and textures. The team has included a high quality Wwise 3D sound package that has been captured using audio recordings of a real F6F-5 Hellcat engine. Also included are custom systems and flight modelling, such as thermodynamics, ground handling, engine damage, water injection and more. Last but not least, after popular request, this will be the first of their aircraft to feature a collimated gunsight. FlyingIron’s Hellcat is available for $45 AUD from their website. It will also be available on the MSFS Marketplace in a few weeks time. Features Gorgeous 3D Artwork, lovingly crafted over 6+ months to capture every fine detail of the real airframe Professional Wwise 3D Sound Design, using professionally captured audio recordings from a real F6F Hellcat & R-2800 Double Wasp Engine Ultra-realistic Flight Model, extensively tested & validated by real-world pilots with Warbird flying experience. Deep & realistic modelling of all aircraft engine & cockpit systems – pilots must fly as per real-world techniques & procedures to get the most out of the sim Extensive integration of custom modelling that overrides default MSFS behaviour – Thermodynamics (heat & cooling modelling), ground handling, engine damage, water injection and much more Full integration of the FlyingIron UI Tablet, featuring saveable user customisation options, settings, basic maintenance and live aircraft reports Detailed engine damage modelling (optional) Collimated Gunsight can be swapped for integrated GNS530 GPS Comprehensive user manual, complete with a large amount of reference tables, charts & procedures
Go on a mission to Utah and then settle in for the night at this fictional camp site in the mountains. Parallel 42 has added a new airfield to the world of Microsoft Flight Simulator that is ideal for those wanting to discover more remote parts of the world. Mexican Mountain (42MX) is a custom-built strip in Green River, Utah, that features mountains, lush trees, running rivers and more. It’s location offers a great spot to relax after a long day of flying. Mexican Mountain features custom vegetation assets, terraforming and night lighting, along with various objects that give it a sense of camp life. The runway itself is just shy of 1800ft long with a slight uphill slope, which needs to be given consideration when taking on the approach through the tall trees. Parallel 42 says that there is plenty of parking for group flights, loads of animations and a custom soundcape to add to the immersion. If you already own the FreedomFox / Fox2 Complete Pack, then you will already own this new ‘Scene’. However, if you want to pick it up independently, then you can do so through Orbx for $12.00 AUD. This will also make a cool addition to Parallel 42’s Campout, which was recently released. Edit: We wrongly stated that the airport was fictional, which isn’t the case. We apologise for this small error. Features Runway: ~1800 ft long x 40 ft wide dirt runway. Slopes uphill slightly to the west. Approach Considerations: Tall trees on both sides of the runway present a hazard when landing to the east. Typically land to the west and depart to the east. Caution RC plane in the vicinity. Amenities: Campgrounds and fire rings. Please don’t leave food out; bears were reported in the area. Windsock: Yes. Located east of the runway, next to the information sign. Multiple runway objects and hazards contain collision boxes. (Careful tail spinners!) Challenging approach onto a narrow dirt runway. Custom vegetation assets. Custom terraforming in the region to match up to real-world footage Custom night lighting in camp areas. Custom Soundscape includes fire pits and flying RC plane Fully animated RC Plane mini-scene Heatblur effects on fire pits Centrally located for bush trip adventures. Plenty of parking for group flight staging Beware of bears near the camp. Pineapple on pizza not permitted on-site
Los Angeles is being brought to life in MSFS thanks to iniScene. One of the biggest airports in the world is being developed by iniScene for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) is the third busiest airport in the world, seeing over 88 million passengers per year travel through its doors. It serves as a major gateway to the West Coast of the USA for both passenger and cargo operations. Commonly referred to as LAX, the airport has four main runways and the capability to host all aircraft across its vast amount of apron space. New York, Honolulu and Chicago are the three busiest domestic routes, whilst London, Paris and Mexico City are the top international destinations from LAX. As you can see, the airport offers plenty of opportunities to see many parts of the world. Building on lessons learned from creating another large airport, London Heathrow (EGLL), iniScene said that this will be a bespoke and accurately made rendition of Los Angeles Airport. The product will come with hand-made ground textures, detailed taxiway signage, custom built jetways, hand-placed models and so much more. The whole airport has been designed to give the best performance possible, whilst also including details such as interior modelling, custom ground service equipment and even smaller bits of attention to detail. Even the famous spotter location of the in-n-out Burger restaurant and care park has been recreated. iniScene has been working with people at the airport to ensure that the airport is as true-to-form as possible. For those wondering, it has been based on how the airport is in early-mid 2022. LAX is undergoing lots of construction right now and the team said they are committed to updating the product as notable construction areas are finished. No specific timeframe has been given at this time, but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more information. For now, check out the announcement trailer for Los Angeles Airport coming soon to Microsoft Flight Simulator.
A new way to download freeware for X-Plane 12 is coming soon. Popular freeware distributor and payware store, Flightsim.to, has announced that they plan on soon launching a sister website dedicated to X-Plane content. X-Plane.to will be unveiled very soon to the community as a new place dedicated to enabling content creators the chance to upload, rate and share freeware content for the newly released X-Plane 12. The new site will be run independently from the current Flightsim.to, but users with an account will be able to sign into both without the need for a new login. The team at Flightsim.to said, “we are proud to be part of this unique modding community, and we are excited to see what milestones our community will write with X-Plane 12.” The new website will be attempting to take on X-Plane.org as the new one-stop shop for freeware downloads. At the time of writing, the new website was still under construction, but no doubt the team are keen to get it up and running as soon as possible.
Volanta receives a new update providing support for XPL12 and improving the overall look and feel of the app. Volanta, the popular flight sim flight tracking application, has just released their new update, version 1.3.9. This new update addresses many bug fixes, but also includes a number of useful new features. The most notable feature of the 1.3.9 update is the added support for those using X-Plane 12. If you have XPL12 Early Access installed on your computer, you should be given a prompt to install the Volanta plugin once running the application. Other features include the ability to filter your aircraft list based on their home location. Using the filter commands, users can see which of their aircraft are at or away from their home locations, don’t have a home location, or all the aircraft stationed at a specific airport. The map page receives two new options to display. First, you can activate a day/night line in the map settings, making it clear which parts of the world are experiencing daytime/nighttime. Second, the Pacific Organised Track System (PACOTS) can now be displayed on the map, just like the North Atlantic Tracks (NAT). Finally, this new update now displays which Volanta users liked your screenshots and allows barometric pressure to be displayed either in hectopascal (hPa) or inches of mercury (inHg). You can get the new version of Volanta through their app and downloading the update when prompted. To access all of these features and more, you can visit Volanta’s website and start using the application for free. However, to get access to all that Volanta has to offer, you will want to hop on their premium subscription. In addition to all of the free features, the premium subscription offers unlimited 4K cloud screenshots, the ability to create flight parties, access real-world flight schedules, and more. Volanta’s premium subscription can be purchased for AU$6.35 (excluding tax) per month. Changelog Support for X-Plane 12 Early Access Added day/night line Aircraft can now be filtered based on their home location Barometric pressure can now be shown in hPa or inHg Pacific Organised Track System (PACOTS) can now be shown on the map Added ability to see who liked a screenshot Schedule tooltips no longer cause a vertical scrollbar to appear Added more error checking to our DCS scripts Updating a past flight will no longer overwrite the active flight in some cases Updating a flight’s notes now correctly updates in real-time across multiple devices Certain notifications will no longer appear multiple times User changes to aircraft type ICAO will now be reflected in more parts of the UI The notification tray icon is no longer missing a tooltip Scenery map layer settings are now persisted when you close Volanta Display of NATs improved when zooming closer to them
Download your copies now before they're taken offline. Developer Verticalsim has announced that they have made the unfortunate decision to remove the whole collection of VStates from their servers. As of September 25th at 11 PM EST, VStates will no longer be available to download from any source hosted by Verticalsim. The news comes as a shock and sad surprise for many who used VStates as a way to make parts of the USA on X-Plane 11 look much more realistic. However, the team cited that the hosting costs and partial compatibility with X-Plane 12 meant that now is the time for the team to pull it. Furthermore, there is also a lack of time for maintenance and technical support for the freeware project. Verticalsim said on Facebook, “I’d like to say a big thank you to all who donated to the project over the years, it was an honor to provide many of you with a great experience for X-Plane.” They went on, “I’d like to apologize for any inconvenience this may cause for some of you, which is why I’m giving close to a month.“ All isn’t lost, however, as Verticalsim has said that they will allow the full project to be shared wherever someone may want to edit and upload it. If you’re keen to download VStates before it’s removed from their servers, you can do so from this link.
Discover Turkey thanks to the new release of Istanbul Airport by SceneryTR Design. Scenery developer SceneryTR Design has released Istanbul Airport (LTFM) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The new airport product is a replica of the main international airport in Turkey, which replaced the old Ataturk Airport. The airport itself is huge, with the ability to host over 200 million passengers a year once fully opened. Istanbul Airport has 5 parallel runways, a large number of gates and a vast amount of room for all types of aircraft. SceneryTR Design says that the product comes with custom jetways, ground texturing and many original 3D buildings. The airport has also been flattened to seamlessly blend in with the nearby scenery. Istanbul Airport (LTFM) is available now only through the in-sim Marketplace for $15.99. Features Detailed virtual replica of the airport buildings and its surroundings Custom animated jetways Custom ground textures, detailed markings Custom taxiway signs Custom airport vehicles, static objects, animations and effects Flattened airport area
A preview video of FlyingIron Simulations’ upcoming warbird shows some of what we can come to expect. YouTuber Twotonemurphy has created a preview video of FlyingIron Simulations’ upcoming F6F Hellcat. The video starts with him showing off the plane’s exterior and detailed modelling, as well as wing-folding animation. After that we can see the plane’s interior and hear the sounds, as Twotonemurphy goes through the start-up sequence. He then continues the video by taking the plane up for a quick flight while continuing to show its exterior. Update: FlyingIron Simulations has also finally announced the expected release date for their next upcoming warbird. If all goes according to plan, the team plans on releasing the plane this coming Friday, September 9th. And though the price is not set in stone yet, they expect the plane to cost roughly $45 AUD. The MSFS Marketplace release will follow in a few weeks from the initial release, and will not feature any weapons visible.
LHSimulations adds another scenery for Hungary with their recently released Budapest Airport v2 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. LHSimulations, known for their add-ons covering the country of Hungary, released their Budapest Airport v2 (LHBP) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is the largest of the four commercial airports in Hungary, serving the capital city of Budapest. It’s a base for Ryanair and also handles significant traffic primarily within Europe but also Africa, the Middle East, North America, and Asia. Following the collapse of Malév Hungarian Airlines in 2012, the airport found a resurgence through the expansion of infrastructure projects which includes newly refurbished 2A and 2B terminals, a Skycourt departure hall, a new cargo and business area, as well as a new airport hotel. LHSimulations brings Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport to life with an accurate representation of the airport. The airport add-on includes high resolution coverage of the entire airport and areas in the vicinity, accurate taxiway, gate, and parking stands, functioning jetways, and more. They also mention implementing LODs for better performance as you approach or leave the airport. The buck doesn’t stop there for LHSimulations however. Owners of this airport will also enjoy free future updates which will include a new terminal, presumably Terminal 3 which is still under construction, other buildings at the airport, additional jetway animations, custom airport traffic, and further performance optimizations. If you are interested in adding Budapest to your list of destinations to fly into, you can check out Budapest Airport v2 by purchasing it through the MSFS Marketplace.
One of the world's most popular regional planes now available in the one of the world's most popular simulators. Carenado has released their rendition of the Pilatus PC-12. The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop aircraft, popular as regional aircraft and cargo aircraft by operators all over the world. The plane is also in use by several air forces. The PC-12 is the best selling plane in its class. Carenado’s rendition of the PC-12 has been beautifully modelled, as we’ve come to expect from them. And with this beautiful model are 9 included liveries. The plane also features several avionics sets and realistic flight dynamics that have been tested by real pilots. Last but not least, the plane includes high quality sounds, animated doors and windows and a tablet interface to control several elements on the plane.Carenado’s Pilatus PC-12 is available from the MSFS Marketplace only, for €24,99. Features 9 liveries (+ 1 white) GNS530 GNS430 GTN750 integration option (GTN750 from pms50.com). GTN750Xi integration option (GTN750Xi from). EX600 Avidyne Cold and dark / Ready to taxi / Ready for takeoff start options. Engine and wind sound effects when opening doors and windows. Original HQ digital stereo sounds recorded directly from the real aircraft (engine, knobs, switches, buttons and different elements). Realistic flight dynamics compared to the real airplane. Realistic weight and balance. Tested by several pilots for maximum accuracy. Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials and textures. PBR materials authored with industry-standard software used by the film and gaming industries. Tablet interphase for controlling static elements, pilots, opening doors, etc.; and starting options such as cold and dark and ready to taxi.
WF Scenery Studios has released their Nanjing Lukou International Airport (ZSNJ) scenery for MSFS. The scenery has previously been released for Prepar3D v4 and v5. Nanjing Lukou International Airport is the main airport serving the city of Nanjing. The scenery features and accurate and detailed rendition of the airport, complete with PBR textures, dynamic lights and animated jetways. It also features terminal interior, and around the airport plenty of ground vehicles can be seen to enhance the atmosphere and immersion. WFSS’ Nanjing Lukou International Airport is available for €18,90 from SimMarket. Owners of the Prepar3D version of the scenery are entitled to an upgrade price of €12. Features PBR Textures Animated Jetways. Dynamic Lights Manually placed vehicles in airport Real Ground Markings
After the successful release of their Naples scenery, RDPresets is ready to lift the veil on their upcoming projects. After the successful release of their Naples scenery, RDPresets is ready to lift the veil on their upcoming projects. RDPresets next scenery project will keep them in the Mediterranean region, this time focusing on Spain with Girona-Costa Brava Airport (LEGE). This airport serves as an alternate hub to Barcelona and is a popular holiday destination, visited by a number of European airlines. But Girona-Costa Brava Airport is not the only project under development by RDPresets. In their development blog, the team shared they are still working on Marseilles (LFML), which was initially set to be released before Naples. However, some buildings weren’t ready yet and the team hopes they are able to share more news on Marseilles soon. In terms of non-scenery related projects, RDPresets is also still working on a product they call ‘RDHome‘. RDHome will serve as a software hub for all of RDPresets’ products, which can be used to purchase, install, update and manage these.
Owners of the Professional 146 will be pleased to know that Just Flight will release a major update for their Professional 146 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Just Flight announced a major update for their beloved 146 Professional that includes an upgraded EFB, improved flight model, and better performance. Simmers can expect a release date sometime in September. Just Flight’s 146 Professional for Microsoft Flight Simulator is a true-to-life simulation of the British Aerospace 146. The airplane add-on is enjoyed by many simmers due to the unique nature of the 146 as a quirky regional jet. As such, many simmers will be happy to hear that Just Flight will release an update soon that will make the aircraft even more enjoyable to fly. Just Flight’s update will include an upgraded EFB tablet that will now have interactive checklists, a top-of-descent calculator, an improved Navigraph charts screen, and METARs based on your SimBrief OFP. They also announced that they are working on a dynamic CG chart, a reduced/flexible thrust calculator, and a take-off/landing distance calculator. Check out some screenshots highlighting some of these features below. In addition to EFB upgrades, Just Flight also included general improvements like higher resolution annunciators, better FPS, and flight model tweaks. Finally, they also stated that they are making great progress on their custom FMS, which they hope to preview soon.
Airworthy Designs announces St. Barths airport/island scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Airworthy Designs announced another scenery offering for Microsoft Flight Simulator – The Island of St. Barths. In a Facebook post last week, Airworthy Designs teased the scenery/airport with a screenshot of the island. The post also featured a list of what fans of the airport will be happy to hear. Not only is the whole island modeled, but the scenery will include full terminal interiors, dynamic animations, animated traffic, and new airport features that were recently added in real life. The Saint Barthélemy Airport, also known as Gustaf III Airport, Rémy de Haenen Airport, or sometimes St. Jean Airport has been a popular destination for simmers for many years due to its very short runway and close proximity to a nearby road. The challenge of clearing a hill on final approach and needing to touch down early to avoid ending up in the ocean will surely get any simmer’s heart racing. The island of St. Barths pairs nicely with Airworthy Design’s other offering for Microsoft Flight Simulator, namely their Saint Martin and Grand Case scenery, which is a short hop away from St. Barths and also offers unique challenges. You can check that out on SimMarket if you fancy some island hopping. No release date has been announced but be sure to check back in to FSElite where we continuously provide information as announcements are made.
Pensacola International Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Developer DominicDesignTeam has brought us Pensacola International Airport (KPNS) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Pensacola International Airport is one of five major airports in Northern Florida, located 3 miles from downtown Pensacola. Even though the airport has a name that implies international flights are available, the airport only serves domestic carriers with over 20 destinations across the US. DominicDesignTeam’s product includes a high-quality depiction of the terminal and surrounding buildings, PBR texturing, custom jetways, realistic ground markings, terminal interior, animated passengers and airport vehicles. Pensacola International Airport can be purchased from SimMarket for €17.99 (Excluding VAT) here. Features PBR Textures Dynamic Lighting Real Ground Markings Custom, painstakingly hand-crafted pavement, showcasing all imperfections including dirt Custom jetways Custom animation objects, passenger animations, bus airport animations
Not long to go until runway 10L/28R is fully operational in the sim. With the brand new runway 10L/28R recently opening at Ireland’s Dublin Airport, developer MK Studios has taken to Facebook to keep simmers in the loop with the new runway’s arrival into the sim. According to their Facebook post, the new runway will be available before Vatsim’s hugely popular Cross The Pond event, currently scheduled for Saturday October 22nd 2022. Promising a “brand new Dublin v2” with “totally redone ground, a new layout, textures, and buildings”, the team aim to bring Dublin completely up to date. MK Studios social media post also featured news that the team are working on another transport hub in Ireland, Shannon Airport, located on the western side of the island nation.
Popular Welsh GA airfield nestled in the Severn Valley comes to X-Plane 11. Wales’ stunning general aviation strip, Welshpool Airport (EGCW), is brought to life in X-Plane 11, with Boundless Scenery’s latest release. Having turned their focus on smaller, lesser-known strips across the UK, Boundless have now released the beautifully situated Welshpool Airport, located in the Severn Valley and boasting a 1020m long tarmac runway. Home to flying schools, helicopter centres and the mid Wales base for the Wales Air Ambulance, the airport’s stunning vistas and often challenging approaches make it a hive of activity and one to be enjoyed in the simulator. You can purchase a copy of Welshpool Airport at the Boundless store for £7.99. Features: Up to date HD Ortho imagery Fully custom airport buildings and nearby buildings Custom HD forests and vegetation 3D volumetric Grass 3D trees (FPS friendly) Accurate layout as of early 2022 Photorealistic signage Fully custom dynamic lighting reflecting real world lighting tones 4K PBR ground textures Fully accurate ground markings – including accurately modelled cracks / wear & tear Fully accurate airport layout referenced from latest charts
Tom does a comparison of the two payware options for Boise Airport in Microsoft Flight Simulator Tom compares the two current payware offerings of Boise Airport/Gowen Field for MSFS. Orbx released their version in June 2022 with Verticalsim releasing around a month after. Whose rendition do you prefer? Video produced by: Tom’s Planes Overview If I had to choose one, I would go with the Verticalsim version. While the terminal geometry isn’t exactly correct, the rest of the airport has so much more correct than the Orbx version. Very little attention to detail was put into the ground textures and markings for Orbx and the buildings lack many smaller details or various “clutter” objects included in the Verticalsim product. Orbx did however include static aircraft on the military ramps and corrected more of the flooded river caused by WU10. For the roughly $2 USD more for Verticalsim’s, you get much more detail throughout the airport.
Two new planes coming to MSFS by iniBuilds under their extended Microsoft partnership. iniBuilds has announced a continuation of their partnership with Microsoft. Under the partnership, iniBuilds previously announced they are bringing their highly anticipated Airbus A310 to Microsoft Flight Simulator for its 40th Anniversary Edition. In the trailer released by Microsoft yesterday, several new planes were announced for the 40th Anniversary Edition. iniBuilds has now announced that under their continued partnership, they will be developing two of these new planes that have been announced. Curtiss JN-4 Jenny The Curtiss Jenny, introduced in 1915, is probably one of the most significant planes from the early history of aviation. A large number of American WW1 pilots completed their training in this plane. Post-war, the plane gained fame and significance in the civilian aviation market, which was still in its infancy in the early 1920’s. The plane was a popular barnstormer and continued to be an excellent trainer. IniBuilds’ Jenny will feature a highly detailed model of the Curtiss OX-5 engine. True to authentic fashion, it will not have any rocker covers and the valve and associated springs will be exposed and animate in the correct sequence. Furthermore, over 800 cable loops and cables have been faithfully recreated, using the original aircraft manuals as a reference. Grumman G-21A Goose Designed as a commuter aircraft in the Long Island area, the Grumman Goose G-21A is quite possibly the world’s first private luxury aircraft. The first variants features quite a luxurious interior, complete with a bar, toilet and executive seating. Later on, the plane was modified and even served with various air forces. Using factory blueprints as well as manuals, the team has recreated a faithful depiction of the plane to recreate the luxury and feel of this 1930’s aircraft. The team has paid special attention to the engine, and created a highly detailed model of the Pratt & Whitney R0985 Wasp Junior engine.
Verticalsim improves the look and feel of their KOMA for MSFS scenery with new update. Verticalsim has updated their Omaha Eppley Airfield (OMA/KOMA) scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator to version 1.1. Omaha’s Eppley Airfield is the largest airport in the state of Nebraska and was rated as one of the top medium-sized airports in the United States in 2016. Located in eastern Nebraska, Eppley Airfield plays a crucial role in transporting college baseball fans to the College World Series every year and used to be a focus city for now defunct airline, Midwest Airlines. The airport serves 33 major cities around the United States, with low-cost carrier, Southwest Airlines, holding the largest market share at OMA. While version 1.1 is not a significant overhaul, it does address many lighting and texturing issues to help the airport look more realistic. The most notable changes include the addition of gate numbers to the jetways, making it easier to find your gate after landing, and adjusting the terminal lighting to illuminate more spaces at night. The update can be downloaded from the Contrail App. Verticalsim’s KOMA scenery can be purchased directly from their website for $16.49, as well as the Contrail webstore and MSFS Marketplace. However, at the time of writing, the scenery is on sale for $14.99 on the Verticalsim website. Changelog Updated jetways to nicer texture with gate numbers & placards Implemented “parallax” glass effect on terminal Fixed jetway connector positions Adjusted terminal lights so more area is covered Made control tower transparent (but no interior) Fixed terminal interior overhead lights Fixed missing terminal wall piece near the tower Moved some vehicles around for better compatibility with GSX
PMDG has released the long-awaited Boeing 737-800 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. PMDG has finally released the long waited and much anticipated Boeing 737-800 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This is the fourth release by PMDG for MSFS, with the DC-6 released last year, the 737-700 in May and 737-600 in July. Today, the Boeing 737 is one of the most popular aircraft in the skies today and is known across the world for being a true workhorse. Airlines across the world use the aircraft to fly all types of routes with the largest operators being Southwest Airlines, Ryanair, United Airlines and American Airlines. Included in the PMDG 737-800 package is the passenger variant, the BBJ2 variant and also the BDSF and BCF cargo variants which all represent their real-life counterparts. A full set of ground equipment for each aircraft type is included such as passenger servicing vehicles, VIP vehicles for the BBJ2 and cargo handling for the BDSF and BCF. You can also select between winglets or split scimitars models. Just like the previous releases, PMDG has included ultra high-resolution PBR texturing for the interior and exterior and included an authentic sound pack, recorded from the real aircraft. A number of real world liveries can also be downloaded and installed using the included PMDG Operations Center. As expected the 737-800 for MSFS includes deep system simulation. Every action you take will have an effect on other systems, this means care and due attention needs to be given in order to fly the plane correctly. The 737-800 also has accurate true-to-life flight modelling and dynamics, a precise custom autopilot system and plenty of other features behind the scenes that make this one of the most simulated planes currently available for MSFS. If you are looking for even more of a challenge, a selection of failures can be triggered manually or dynamically via the onboard FMC. Sadly, the PMDG 737-800 is still missing the highly anticipated EFB and weather radar, but this is still in development and should be coming soon as a free update after SU10. You can purchase the PMDG 737-800 now from the PMDG store for $69.99, during the early adopter period, which will end in October. The price will then increase to $74.99. Features Fully customized system simulation for all major and minor aircraft systems and components. Highly sophisticated logical simulation of onboard information systems and aircraft management. PMDG’s customized, flight model with enhanced physics augmentation. Rigid body physics for wing and tail surfaces. Fully customized flight control systems with normal, standby and reversionary capability. Accurate resolution cockpit displays Interchangeable equipment options for cockpit instrumentation Numerous user configurable options from throughout the global 737 operator fleet. Updated 737 options packages reflecting operational improvements and changes to the global 737 fleet. Full-featured failures simulation to cover nearly all QRH scenarios as well as real-world mean time to failure simulations model. Native PMDG datalink simulation is compatible with simBrief integration. Incandescent and LED lighting packages, as well as fully dimming flight deck lights and annunciators. Driveable pushback tug. Customized sound package that leverages advanced sound recording and playback technology for incredible realism. Sound environment built using recordings from a purpose-instrumented airplane recording effort. Highly integrated exterior, interior cabin and flight deck sound environments. Includes the 737-800 in passenger configuration with both blended winglets and split scimitar winglet configurations. Includes the Boeing Business jet in with both blended winglets and split scimitar winglets configurations. Includes both the 737-800 BDSF & BCF freighter with main deck cargo door with blended winglets. Full set of ground equipment for each aircraft type, including passenger servicing vehicles, VIP vehicles for the BBJ and c...
In a short statement over on the Avsim forums, developer EagleSoft has announced that their Citation XLS+ has entered beta testing for Prepar3D v4 and v5. The announcement was met with enthusiasm on the forum, although some users were left a bit unhappy because the plane will lack Navigraph support and will instead implement Real Nav.
A new preview of Aerosoft’s Offshore Industries makes you forget you’re in a flight sim for a moment. Although announced on April 1st of this year, Aerosoft was anything but joking when they announced their Offshore Industries add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The add-on promises to add marine traffic to the North-West of Europe in the form of different kinds and sizes of ships, boats and ferries. But the add-on also adds infrastructure such as wind turbines, substations and construction equipment for said infrastructure. And if that wasn’t enough, Aerosoft has also added a lot of of infrastructure for oil and gas (production and drilling rigs and more) to this area of the map. Mathijs Kok shared a new preview over on the Aerosoft forum showing one of the crew boats that can be controlled by the user to drive around the various scenes in this add-on. The boat looks nicely modelled and comes with wave effects, reflections, lighting and all the features we normally expect to see on our planes. In fact the preview, although only 30 seconds long, looks convincing enough to make you forget for a moment that you’re still looking at Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Microsoft has made a lot of announcements regarding MSFS at Gamescom. Microsoft and Xbox are present at Gamescom, and they have shared a lot of news regarding Microsoft Flight Simulator. Let’s dive in and unpack the various announcements and trailers. 40th Anniversary Edition The 40th Anniversary Edition was announced by Microsoft a little while back. The release date of this free update has been announced as November 11th. The trailer goes over some of the new features that we already know are coming, such as helicopters, gliders, the highly anticipated A310 by iniBuilds and the DC-3 by Aeroplane Heaven. But the latest trailer also shows three previously unannounced planes: the Grumman G-21 A Goose, the Curtiss JN-4 Jenny and the famous Hughes H-4 Hercules ”Spruce Goose”, the largest plane – by wingspan – ever built. Furthermore, the trailer seemed to show some exciting features for the gliders, such as wing runners and a towing plane. The 40th Anniversary Edition will also include four classic airports, with one of them revealed so far. The starting location of previous editions of Microsoft Flight Simulator, and fan favourite, Chicago’s Meigs Field will be making a return to our simulators. The update will also include twenty missions from the franchise’s past. City Update 1 To celebrate Gamescom, the team has released the very first of their City Updates. Considering that Gamescom takes place in Cologne, Germany, no other location would be more appropriate for this update. New photogrammetry has been added to Hanover, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Bonn and Cologne. City Update 1 is available for free from the MSFS Marketplace. The team made no further announcements on future City Updates. Local Legend 6: Junkers F 13 Last but not least, Microsoft released the latest in their Local Legend series: the Junkers F 13. An engineering marvel, this first all-metal transport aircraft flew first in 1919. Throughout its lifespan, the plane saw itself fitted with a variety of engine configurations. The simulator rendition features the supercharged 9-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-14B Wasp Junior radial piston engine. The plane also comes in four variants: vintage with standard terrestrial landing gear, vintage with floats, vintage with ski’s and a replica variation. The Junkers F 13 is available for $14.99 from the MSFS Marketplace.
Airport serving Tunisia's capital city comes to Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Tunisian capital’s dual runway airport, Tunis Carthage Airport (DTTA), has landed in Microsoft Flight Simulator with developer PrealSoft’s latest release. Serving the North African nation’s main city, the airport serves as a base for a number of airlines, such as Tunisair and Nouvelair Tunisia. With two runways both well over 2500m in length, the airport is served by a multitude of carriers from both the European and African continents. Boasting high resolution textures, dynamic lighting and accurately depicted airport facilities and nearby attractions, the scenery opens up a new destination for pilots in the sim. You can purchase a copy of PrealSoft’s Tunis Carthage at simmarket.com for EUR 19.99 (excluding VAT). Features: Highly detailed rendition of Tunis Carthage Airport DTTA High resolution textures PBR textures Dynamic lighting Ambient occlusion Optimized for best framerates Animated jetways Misc objects, vehicles Windows reflections
Go camping in MSFS with Parallel 42's latest simulator additions. Parallel 42 brings some exciting new add-ons to Microsoft Flight Simulator. Campout allows you to set up camp and ‘build a scenery’ for those moments you might not necessarily be spending inside your aircraft. Bush Plane Campout and Mount Patterson Camps on the other hand add new landing areas in California. Campout Campout allows you to exit your plane and set up camp. Quite literally. The utility tool allows you to build a custom camp near your plane where you can sleep, eat, drink and relax around an atmospheric campfire. You can set up camp anywhere in the simulator, and through a clever system of ‘Eco Points’ and persistence, you’re encouraged to clean up after yourself once you’re ready to get back in the air. Not only that, but you can share your custom camping spots with friends and all fly into them together. Bush Plane Campouts is available for $24.99 via Orbx Direct and soon via the MSFS Marketplace. Bush Plane Campout Bush Place Campout is a small private strip in Red Bluff, California. The strip often hosts bush pilots for overnight campouts, something that is now also available in the simulator. Bush Plane Campout is a smaller ‘scene’, as opposed to regular sceneries that have al larger coverage area. The scene is an excellent addition to try out with the above mentioned Campout to set up your own camp, but will also work as a standalone without the utility. Bush Plane Campout is available for $7.99 via Orbx Direct and soon via the MSFS Marketplace. If you already own the FreedomFox/Fox 2 Complete Package, this scene is available for free. Mount Patterson Camps This scenery adds three new landing areas to your simulator: 42MW Mars with Flowers, 42MP Mount Patterson Peak and 42MM Montague Mine Stone Cabin. These so called ‘scenes’ by //42 apparently have a bit of a smaller footprint than your regular scenery. However, the team has still done their best to make these locations flying into. You can expect accurately recreated markers and flags, custom ground textures and terraforming to make the region more accurate to the real world. Parallel 42 Mount Patterson Camps is now available for $4.99 via Orbx Direct or the MSFS Marketplace. If you already own the FreedomFox/Fox 2 Complete Package, this scene is available for free.
Upgrade your Cessna 172SP Classic with Just Flight's Enhancement mod for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Just Flight has released a new enhancement mod for the default Cessna 172SP (standard, float plane and ski plane) included in the Premium and Premium Deluxe versions of Microsoft Flight Simulator. This new enhancement mod promises to boost the realism within the default Cessna 172SP, with enhancements to the electrical system such as fully functional circuit breakers and dynamic battery voltages. Even engine wear and tear is simulated which could have consequences over time if the aircraft is not looked after. Inside the cockpit, users will find enhanced instruments which include a custom-coded KAP140 autopilot that adds many missing features. The PMS GNS 530/430 is included and some nifty additions such as working cabin heat/defrost, vibrating gauge needles and custom lighting throughout that even dims if the voltage is low. It is worth noting again that unfortunately, this enhancement mod is only available to those users who purchased the Premium or Premium Deluxe version of MSFS. Hopefully, we can see more enhancement packages like this for the Standard version of MSFS. You can purchase the Cessna 172SP Classic Enhancement mod from the Just Flight website for £14.99. Features Electrical system Dynamic battery voltage drop Correct ammeter display External charging available Accurately working relays Battery amperage subject to temperatures Functional circuit breakers, which may trip from faulty equipment Cockpit and equipment Optional state saving with 90+ points being saved so that your plane will be just as you left it Gyro spin-up animations Custom lighting throughout dims if the voltage is low Gauge needles subject to engine vibrations ADF needle subject to noise ADF needle instrument upgraded to the KI 227-01, which slaves the ADF card to the directional gyro Working cabin heat/defrost Fully functional M803 clock, including settable FT alarm and ET countdown mode Operational MD-41 GPS annunciator PMS GNS 530/430 included Custom-coded KAP140 autopilot corrects and adds a lot of missing features including accurate hold altitude, functional ALT arming, 20ft altitude adjustments and aural alerting Enhanced KT76 transponder, with dynamic radar pings and correct dimming function KR87 ADF with proper testing feature and audible ET countdown alarm All Bendix units feature an accurate font, and the KAP140 and KR87 have auto-dimming displays Engine wear and tear Spark plug fouling General engine wear Functional engine priming Starter overheating Oil usage Damage Everything simulated may have consequences if not maintained. From gradual power loss as the hours accumulate, fouled plugs and engine failure from lack of oil, to the struts getting ripped from the fuselage from too many hard landings.
Northern Sky Studio Releases PAYA Yakutat Airport for MSFS. Located in the southeast of the state of Alaska, USA, Yakutat airport serves the city of Yakutat which has no roadway connection with mainland USA. The airport was built to supplement the USAFs long-range capability during the Aleutian Islands campaign in 1942. In terms of airline operations today, the airport sees 737s operated by Alaska airlines to Cordova, Anchorage, Seattle, and Juneau, carrying around 12,000 passengers a year. The airport is rather busy with 68% of total aircraft movements, which hit around 20,000, coming from General Aviation. Given the location and temperature, operating out of the airport can be difficult. It frequently gets below zero degrees with poor visibility, snow, rain, and sleet that can vary quickly which adds to the challenge of an approach. Northern Sky Studio has recreated the two-runway airfield with great detail to include all custom 4K textured terminals, support buildings and ground clutter, including the main Alaska terminal, stores, and fuel bowsers. Moving around the airport, you will find ground vehicles, a static DC3 as well as the infamous Yakatut Jack statue. You can purchase PAYA Yakutat for Microsoft Flight Simulator over on Orbx Central for around $12/€12/£10 Ex.VAT. Feature List The most detailed replica of airport buildings and vehicles Custom surroundings All materials created for full PBR Shading and occlusion (texture baking) effects on all airport buildings High-resolution building textures Use of native, highly efficient gITF models Custom orthophoto for the airport and surrounding areas
A small update from Pilot Plus for their most recent scenery, Biggin Hill Airport. Update v1.0.1 cleans up some ground imagery, and contains some compatibility fixes for Xbox. The update is available right now through the Pilot Plus Shop as well as Orbx Direct. The team also announced that Biggin Hill will soon be available on the MSFS Marketplace for PC and Xbox, so stay tuned for that. Pilot Plus’ London Biggin Hill is available for £12.49 for MSFS.
iniScene brings the popular Spanish holiday destination to MSFS. After being announced earlier this month, iniScene has releases Ibiza Airport (LEIB) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Ibiza Airport is a popular Spanish holiday destination that sees a lot of (seasonal) connections to locations all over Europe. iniScene has faithfully recreated the airport with high quality modelling and textures, as well as attention to detail. The landside has been recreated “true-to-life” with custom ground decals, signposts, vegetation, parking lots and more. The main terminal building features interior and lighting, and the airport comes even more to life with custom apron vehicles and clutter. Despite this, the airport has been developed with performance in mind and the team has implemented level of detail optimisation to ensure this. A full feature list can be found at the end of this article. iniScene’s Ibiza Airport is available now for £13.49 from the iniBuilds Store. Features Hand-made ground polygons with crisp, bespoke texture sets (Runways, aprons, paths, roads) Thousands of hand-placed custom car models True-to-life airport land side recreation with custom ground decals, signposts, vegetation, parking lots and more Accurately modelled and positioned dynamic airport lighting within the interior and exterior Hand-placed, high-definition vegetation, signage, ground clutter, vehicles, handling objects and more which have been custom-modelled in house by the iniScene team Bespoke taxi signage as it is in the real world Highly detail models of all airport buildings, objects and surroundings Main airport terminal interior with lighting and custom objects Custom built jetways with PBR texturing and animations Accurate logos and real-world decals scattered throughout the airport to promote a true to life feeling Custom ground handling vehicles, unique to Ibiza Level of Detail (LOD) optimisation for every model to encourage the best performance possible Compiled and optimised for Xbox Series X and S Detailed, custom terminal interior model Windshield rain effects for the terminal, and other assets around the vicinity Animated palm trees at entry ways to the terminal (roadside) Use of the latest MSFS SDK features to allow for the best optimisation and performance possible 30cm/px satellite imagery which has been hand corrected and colour blended to MSFS’ Bing satellite data
In MSFS’s latest Feature Discovery video we get a look at Working Title Simulations’ Garmin G1000 NXi. In Microsoft Flight Simulator’s latest Feature Discovery Series, one of Working Title Simulation’s founders, Matt Nischan, gives a feature presentation of their Garmin G1000 NXi. The G1000 NXi is an enhanced simulation of the default G1000 in MSFS, and will be included in default planes in Sim Update 10. You can already get started with the G1000 NXi by downloading it from the in-game marketplace where the add-on is available for free. Autopilot + LNAV The G1000 NXi adds numerous autopilot modes to the simulator, which will now arm instead of becoming outright active. It also features a real time flight plan path vectorisation system that can be accessed by third party developers. The path vectorisation system includes curved paths, RF legs and DME arcs. Full manual sequence leg support, like you might get during departure or arrival procedures, is also available. VNAV The G1000 NXi features a fully coupled VNAV capability that allows you to fly a complete procedure based vertical profile from the sims navdata. The NXi also allows for manually defined altitude constraints. Furthermore, the vertical profile is calculated through every turn in attempt to avoid jerky VNAV. Approaches The NXi supports the usual radio based approaches, but also includes a complete RNAV simulation: LP, LPV, LNAV/VNAV, LNAV and even Garmin+V coupled advisory vertical guidance. In addition, the NXi supports a brand new feature added to the real G1000 NXi: visual approach procedures. These allow you to create an autopilot approach procedure into an airport that normally doesn’t have any official IFR procedures. Last but not least, vectors to final allow you to activate vectors approaches as might be instructed by ATC. Instruments The EIDS has been recreated with as much visual accuracy as possible. The NXi also adds several new pages, such as an EIS systems page and an EIS lean page with lean assist. And much more Above is just a small description of some of the features included in the G1000 NXi. Other included features are NextRad satellite weather, METAR reports, HSI moving map, procedure previews, user customisation and settings and much more. The video also includes a handy section to help you transition to all the new features available in the G1000 NXi.
The populair holiday destination is brought to MSFS by Sim-Wings and Aerosoft. Sim-Wings has released Menorca (LEMH) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Menorca Airport serves the Spanish island of Menorca, one of the islands in the Balearic Islands archipelago. Menorca Airport serves a number of airlines with almost exclusively seasonal destinations all over Europe. Sim-Wings’ airport, that is being published by Aerosoft, comes with several features. To begin, you can expect a highly detailed rendition of the airport itself, with accurate and high detail textures. Sim-Wings has also done some terraforming to recreate a more realistic representation of the airport terrain. And in a trailer created by the AviationLads, you can also see features such as interior complete with people both in the ATC tower and the terminal. Also shown in the trailer is a working VDGS. Furthermore, the airport is brought to life with loads of clutter and vehicles such as busses, baggage carts, aircraft stairs and much more. Sim-Wings Menorca is available for €15,08 from Aerosoft. Features Highly detailed Menorca International Airport (LEMH) scenery Terraforming for a realistic representation of the airport terrain Runway with real elevation profile (sloped) according to official AENA height profile charts Custom aerial photo for the airport, elaborate retouching and color-correction for a true display and integration into the default aerial PBR materials to build realistic glass and surfaces Detailed ground markings based on recent charts Custom taxiway lights – some lights are made to work in one direction only (at one-way rapid exits for instance) Extremely detailed Menorca airport buildings with interior designs at apron side and infrastructure buildings All Buildings up to date: New solar roofs at main car parking, tower painted in white, new remote tower construction on terminal roof etc. Detailed animated jetway models Many custom static vehicles and objects Realistic night time dynamic lighting Working VDGS Docking Systems with Aerosoft VDGS Modules
BlackBox Simulation releases major overhaul for their BN-2 Islander with free update. BlackBox Simulation released a major update for their BN-2 Islander light utility aircraft add-on, which was first released in May on Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Britten-Norman BN-2 Islander is a British aircraft that was originally designed in the 1960s. Its popularity is still apparent today with around 800 airplanes still in service for both commercial and military operators. The new update, dubbed version 2, includes a completely redesigned exterior and virtual cockpit, rebuilt panels, new textures, upgraded coloring, new liveries, and many other visual upgrades. BlackBox Simulation didn’t stop there however, as careful attention was given to improving the systems-depth as well. This includes brand new flight dynamics including the use of Asobo’s newly implemented CFD and prop physics, working circuit breakers, accurate electrical and fuel systems, fully featherable propellors, and more. If you would like to purchase the BN-2 Islander, you can find it on the BlackBox Simulation website for €29.99. For the full set of features, check out the list below. Feature List Completely redesigned and rebuilt panels Rebuilt exterior and VC models All new texturing 32 liveries across 7 variants Civil, military and cargo models New panel and seating colors Optional ASPEN EFIS New flight dynamics using Asobo’s CFD and prop physics Accurate electrical and fuel systems Operational external tanks and tip tanks (maritime variant) All working circuit breakers Reworked lighting package Brand new realistic “WWISE” sound set Opening doors, cargo and clear view panel Adjustable sun visors Fully featherable propellors Removable chocks, flags, intake colors, boarding steps, and gust locks
The PMDG 737-800 will be touching down very soon. PMDG’s Rob Randazzo has taken to the forums to tell the flight simulation community the wait for the anticipated 737-800 for Microsoft Flight Simulator is almost over. The aircraft product is due to head into final testing this week and it’s planned it will be available for all by the end of the month. The product will include four new airframes: the 737-800 passenger airliner, the BBJ2, the 737-800 BCF and the 737-800 BDSF. Each of them will have blended winglet or the split scimitar winglets, along with custom flight models, sound sets and more. Rob said, “we might have one or two minor tweaks we want to make to this build before it goes out to you, but the plan currently is to release the PMDG 737-800 between 23AUG22 and 31AUG22.” Alongside this, he also shared a new 10-minute video that showcases some of the new features that will come with the 737-800 upon release. This includes new window shades and movable cockpit lighting. The EFB? Another feature that is hotly anticipated is the PMDG Universal Flight Tablet. Whilst it won’t make it for the release of the 737-800, it is planned to be in beta testing in the 2nd half of September. Rob continued, “we don’t anticipate the tablet requiring a long beta process, as it was designed from the outset to be easily expandable and scalable much like a real tablet device. We are looking forward to showing you this new feature!” The 737-800 is easily the most anticipated of the airframe types of the narrow body since it is also the most popular in the real-world with airliners. We’re keen to see how PMDG prices the 737-800 following the surprisingly low price point of the 737-600 that was released just a few weeks ago.
South-east England's hugely popular GA airfield comes to the simulator Redhill Aerodrome, a hive of activity located just south of London, comes to Microsoft Flight Simulator courtesy of Burning Blue Design. Home to the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, the National Police Air Service and numerous flight schools, Redhill is a well-known airfield located in close proximity to London Gatwick Airport in the south-east of England. Once home to Spitfires in wartime, the airfield is now a popular destination of choice for many private pilots, with many merely starting their flying careers at its numerous schools, or those visiting the airfield’s Pilot’s Hub café, a location accurately depicted in Burning Blue’s scenery. The scenery depicts the airfield’s numerous grass runways and even its uniquely curved paved runway, a challenge to all aviators! With over 170 custom 3D objects optimised with the use of PBR, full night lighting and dynamic weather compatibility, and even dynamic visitors that change depending on the time of day, Redhill is now must-do destination for sim pilots too. You can purchase a copy of Burning Blue Design’s Redhill Aerodrome for £12.95 on their site. Features: Over 170 custom 3D objects each with full Physical Based Rendering (PBR) textures Based on 2022 layout with accurate runways, taxiways and custom taxi signs Highly detailed control tower and hangar interiors Animated hangar doors which close at night (Parking spot 7 – open manually with Taxi Lights) Completely custom windsock and dynamic animated flags Dynamic visitors change depending on the time of day Real-life static aircraft based at Redhill Full night lighting and dynamic weather compatibility Enhanced high resolution colour corrected ground textures
Aerosoft announces their next Mega Airport, Milan Malpensa for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Developer Aerosoft has announced they are bringing the largest international airport in Northern Italy, Milan Malpensa International Airport (LIMC) to Microsoft Flight Simulator. They announced the mega airport on their blog although only teasing a few WIP screenshots of the airport, they have promised an accurate representation of the terminal buildings, hangers, control tower and airport layout. They also mention that animated airport vehicles and people, custom jetways and a custom VDGS system for all gates will be included. No information was shared from Aerosoft regarding a release date for Milan Malpensa, but until then make sure to stay tuned to FSElite for more updates. Features Accurate Terminal 1 and the old Terminal 2 buildings, concourse, hangars, towers, and airport layout Accurate control tower Full Dynamic Lighting Custom animated jetway system for all gates Custom VDGS system for all gates Animated figures inside Terminal 1 Animated airport vehicles all around Animated train
Microsoft has issued a new development update regarding MSFS. In the development update, Jorg announced that the team has made the difficult decision to delay Sim Update 10. The update is delayed with an estimated two weeks to allow the team to resolve issues that have appeared in SU10, particularly issues concerning performance on the PC. Sim Update 10 was originally slated for an August release, but the expected release has now been set for mid-September. Sim Update 10 is highly anticipated by the community due to the slew of new features and enhancements that will come with it. These included DirectX 12 enhancements for better performance and graphic fidelty, but also new developer API’s for terrain and weather radar drawing. During the developer Q&A, which was held over on Twitch, several other interesting announcements were made. First of all, the team has announced the location of upcoming World Update 11, which will focus on Canada. World Update 11 is currently set for a release in late September. Another interesting announcement in regard to MSFS for the Xbox was made by Jorg. It has long been known how WASM is a limiting factor for bringing aircraft to the Xbox. In an effort to overcome this limitation and bring more aircraft to the Xbox, the team is working on an Xbox solution for WASM. This solution is almost finished, and is currently scheduled to be included with Sim Update 11.
The iconic Beechcraft Bonanza V35 is now available for MSFS. Famous Flyer #3, the Beechcraft Bonanza V35, is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The plane has been developed by Carenado and is released by Microsoft. The V35 is easily recognisable by its iconic V-shaped tail. Other distinguishable features include a one-piece windshield and trapezoidal rear windows. The V35B is part of Microsoft’s Famous Flyer series, which includes famous and iconic planes. Previous releases in this series include the Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing and the Gee Bee Model Z and Model R-2. The Release of the V35B coincides with Microsoft Flight Simulator’s 2 year Anniversary sale, which sees many products on the Marketplace discounted. The V35B can be picked up for €14,99.
The long awaited GSX by FSDreamTeam is now available for MSFS FSDreamTeam has released the highly anticipated GSX Pro for Microsoft Flight Simulator. GSX is an add-on improving all ground services, such as baggage handling, catering, refueling, pushback and more. GSX Pro also includes features such as animated passengers, VGDS docking systems, walk-in gates, underground refueling and more. Also included is de-icing, a feature that was high on the wishlist of many. Another iconic feature of GSX that has been included are jetway replacements. For previous simulators this feature was limited to an expansion package on top of GSX. Jetways replacements replaces default jetways with custom ones that look more detailed, feature more customisation, animations and sounds and have custom logos based on the airport/region. FSDreamTeam’s GSX Pro is available for €31,21, excluding VAT.
Egypt's stunning Red Sea holiday destination comes to the simulator Egyptian holiday destination Sharm El-Sheikh is now available in Microsoft Flight Simulator with FSDG’s latest release. Situated by the stunning Red Sea the airport has two parallel runways and a vast array of parking stands across its three terminals, with the summer months seeing the airport’s peak time for movements. FSDG’s scenery is optimised for great performance and features some of the spectacular hotels and resorts nearby. You can purchase your copy of FSDG Sharm El-Sheikh for €16, excluding VAT, through FSDG here. Features: Detailed airport scenery of Sharm El-Sheikh (HESH / SSH) Includes terminal 1 and terminal 2 extension Updated to feature latest changes at the airport Optimized for great performance and visual results in MSFS Compatible with all known add-ons Manual included
We have had access to GSX for the past few weeks and now we can share with you our very first look. Patrick takes us on an early in-depth look at FSDreamTeam’s GSX Pro for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Produced by The Flight Sim Deck.
FlightSim Studio's SeaRey has entered beta testing. FlightSim Studio’s SeaRey for Microsoft Flight Simulator has entered beta testing. The announcement came coupled with a feature list for the plane, that also details slight differences between the Xbox Edition and the Desktop Edition of the plane. The most important difference between the two will be the inclusion of an EFB with the Desktop Edition. The plane will also feature highly detailed 3D modelling, both inside and outside of the plane. A custom electrical and fuel system have been implemented, and the plane will feature multiple custom instruments such as the EIS 4000, GTX320 and the IC-A200. The EFB will come with several features exclusive to the desktop version, such as a moving map, a loadout manager and custom camera’s to perform your walkaround. FlightSim Studio aims to have the SeaRey available to customers as soon as possible after the conclusion of the beta tests. Though the SeaRey is the first aircraft to be published under FlightSim Studio’s own name, it is far from the first development project the studio has undertaken. The studio has previously created several sceneries available on the MSFS Marketplace, and was responsible for some of the enhanced airports in World Update VI (Germany, Austria and Switzerland). More recently, the studio has been working with Microsoft on bringing gliders to the simulator, and was featured in the Partnership Series. Features (Xbox Edition) Realistic replica of the Searey Amphibian LSA Impressively detailed 3D model, inside and outside Multiple real world liveries included Integrated flightplan route direction indicator (Garmin inReach mini) Multiple custom-coded instruments like, EIS 4000, GTX320, IC-A200 Custom electrical and fuel pump logic to reflect the real operation of the top-mounted backward-facing engine In-game checklist including custom camera positions and action item highlighting Several special features such as: dynamic registration on liveries, custom yaw string animation, simulated autopilot to hold altitude/heading/gps course Features (Desktop Edition) Realistic replica of the Searey Amphibian LSA including homebuild experimental version Impressively detailed 3D model, inside and outside Multiple real world liveries included Custom EFB/Tablet with various settings Integrated flight plan data and moving map Real time weight & balance menu Simulated walkaround with interactive & animated check items like wheels, control surfaces, prop rotation and tie-down Multiple custom-coded instruments like Garmin InReach, EIS 4000, GTX320, IC-A200 Custom electrical and fuel pump logic to reflect the real operation of the top-mounted backward-facing engine In-game checklist including custom camera positions and action item highlighting Several special features such as: dynamic registration on liveries, custom yaw string animation, simulated autopilot to hold altitude/heading/gps course
Walker Air owner has come under scrutiny after accessing users data over alleged complaints. Virtual Airline ‘Walker Air Transport‘ has come under scrutiny after reports from users about harassment. The accusations were made over on Reddit, with more than one user claiming that Walker Air’s owner has accessed the virtual airline’s member data in an attempt to find users’ social media accounts and reach out to them. In a message posted to Reddit prior to the altercation, Reddit user OceanRadioGuy states he’s been “flying with Walker the last week or so and love the direction and purpose it gives my flights, and smartCARS is so easy to use. I do wish they had more attractive liveries, though“. This message was received by Walker Air owner, Storm, as being “clearly unhappy” and felt it was “another attack” on the virtual airline. Storm then proceeded to look at the pilot roster and find the three newest pilots, then messaged multiple of these users in an attempt to figure out which one of them made the post that was deemed criticizing. The message sent to OceanRadioGuy, who made these messages and altercation public, starts with Storm trying to confirm the Walker Air pilot ID of the user. OceanRadioGuy in turn states he feels unsafe by Storm figuring out his Reddit account and messaging him. Storm then proceeds to ask if they (Walker Air) should remove OceanRadioGuy from the virtual airline after perceived criticism on the airline. The interaction sparked a debate as to what data is stored by Walker Air, and how it is being accessed by its owner. The Privacy Policy of Walker Air does mention that data can be accessed for ‘legitimate business interests’, but it does not state that data will be accessed to try and find your (unlinked) social media accounts nor does it provide an explanation of what may be deemed legitimate business interests. Storm, meanwhile, has taken to Walker Air’s Discord with a public statement and an apology. The statement tries to explain what has happened from Storm’s perspective, and how he used the Walker Air data to attempt to find the Reddit user. Storm has since deleted his Reddit account.
Airbus H125 helicopter is now available for X-Plane 11. Cowan Simulation, known for their high-fidelity helicopter add-ons, announced the release of the Airbus H125 helicopter on August 12 for X-Plane 11 (with a free upgrade to X-Plane 12 upon release). The Airbus H125 helicopter, formerly known as the Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil, is a single-engine light utility helicopter. The helicopter was initially designed and manufactured by Aérospatiale and Eurocopter prior to their merger with Airbus. From its inception in 2005 to today, the helicopter is used by individuals, airlines, charter operators, medical teams, governments, and law enforcement agencies. Needless to say, it’s an exceptionally versatile helicopter. Notably, the H125 broke the world record for the highest-altitude landing and takeoff in 2005 when test pilot Didier Delsalle touched down on the top of Mount Everest. Cowan Simulation ensured that the performance of the helicopter is true-to-life by including real pilots to test and zero-in on the helicopter’s flight model. The developers included five manuals so that every virtual pilot has the chance to become intimately familiar with everything the helicopter has to offer. They also added cyclic and collective rotor animations, particle effects, dynamic FMOD sounds, a myriad of options surrounding baggage loading, flight accessories, different pilots and passengers, a working floats system, and much more (see the feature list below for additional features). If you would like to purchase the H125, you can head over to the Cowan Simulation website where it’s available for $32.95 (USD). Feature List VEMD (Vehicle & Engine Management Display) Around the world adventure version All commands for mapping hardware Functional spotlight Functional Cineflex camera Window rain effects Compatible with Vulkan API 100% virtual reality ready AviTab integration RXP GTN 650 & 750 integration HD PBR textures Custom 3D instruments Detailed night lighting SASL/Xlua Systems/Animations/Plugins
Carenado PC-12 is coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator in September. Developer Carenado has announced that their highly anticipated and long-awaited Pilatus PC-12 project for Microsoft Flight Simulator is finished, and is expected to release exclusively on the in-sim Marketplace in early September. The announcement was made on their Facebook page just a few days ago with the post already proving very popular amongst their fans. From the screenshots provided, the exterior and interior modelling, texturing and attention to detail look absolutely stunning. Carenado is yet to announce a price tag or an exact release date for the Pilatus PC-12, but until then make sure to stay tuned to FSElite for more updates. You can also view more screenshots here.
A new map for DCS has been announced, alongside some previews and a status update. In their weekly newsletter Eagle Dynamics has announced a new map being in development. The Sinai map will be developed by third party developer OnReTech, and will provide an accurate representation of the Sinai Peninsula. The map will get a size of 1500x1000km, with 700x700km of it in high detail. About 40 airfields, both military and civilian, will be included, and the map will represent the 2000’s up to the present. It offers a perfect backdrop for scenarios based on the Arab-Israeli wars. The map will be developed in three phases, each of these adding more detail and airfields. The development team aims to offer the first two phases already in early access. DCS’ upcoming WWII Marianas map also got a status update in the weekly newsletter. The development team is hard at work to recreate the Mariana Islands the way they looked in the summer of 1944. This means re-doing several parts of the map based on United States Navy and Military pre-invasion maps. New plantations have been added, as well as the coastline and settlements being further improved.
Pointsoft has released PRO-ATC/SR for Microsoft Flight Simulator and Prepar3D. PRO-ATC/SR is an air traffic control tool that aims to enhance your sim by giving you instructions. These range from weather reports, clearances and taxi instructions all the way to vectors, landing clearances and traffic calls. The tool takes into account standard departure and arrival procedures, lower and upper airways and even emergencies can be handled by it. Other features that the tool supports are background ATC sounds, support for a co-pilot that can help you out during the flight, and PRO-ATC/SR can also detect traffic that’s controlled by the to take these planes into account for your instructions. Those some of these features may seem familiar to users of PRO-ATC/X, the new speech recognition (SR) aims to bring your sim realism to the next level. Speech recognition allows you to talk to the ATC using your microphone, making for an even more immersive experience. Speech recognition is an optional feature for those that do not wish to use it. PRO-ATC/SR is available via Pointsoft for €49.95. Discounts for previous customers of PRO-ATC/X are available.
Get yourself the ultimate home set-up with the Stay Level Avionix panel set that integrates with Virtual-Fly SWITCHO pack. Stay Level Avionix continues to expand its portfolio of custom flight simulation avionics panels by adding compatibility for the RealSimGear G500, as well as Virtual-Fly SWITCHO product lineup. You can learn more about the all-new products in the latest YouTube video from Stay Level Avionix. The RealSimGear G500 Hardware Bezel ships in as little as 2 weeks and can be ordered directly from the RealSimGear.com website, while the SWITCHO pre-order is still active at the Stay Level Avionix web shop and will begin shipping on November 1st. As a reminder, the Stay Level Avionix web shop is the most affordable location to purchase Virtual-Fly hardware worldwide. Powered by the VFHub means SWITCHO is truly a plug n’ fly solution. No configuration or button mapping in the simulator is necessary, just load up, and flip the battery master switch to ON. SWITCHO includes a unique set of hardware panels, which are designed around engines, fuel, electrical systems, and secondary control surfaces for both single-engine and multi-engine aircraft configurations. As always, the tag-team duo of Ryan and John at Stay Level Avionix continue to produce panels on the 1st day of each month, and they ship by the 15th day of the month. They’ve been at it since 2018, have built a ton of customer reviews, and continue to change the way that flight simulation enthusiasts and pilots enable their training to be more familiar and relevant to aircraft in the real-world flight training environment.
It's dangerous to go alone! FS2Crew has released its Fenix A320 Edition of its long-standing suite of products. The new product will enhance your flying experience with the (excellently reviewed) narrow-body aircraft. If you’re unfamiliar with the FS2Crew suite of products, it essentially adds the functionality of a second pilot working alongside you. You will be able to do flows and procedures alongside a virtual co-pilot using voice, button or have it respond automatically. Using the latest Airbus SOP (standard operating procedures), you will be able to perform flights in a multi-cockpit environment. FS2Crew has also bundled a bunch of other features to enhance the product further. It integrates into SIMBRIEF, has support for the on-screen toolbar, and uses multiple voice sets (UK, US and German). If the newly released FS2Crew product for the Fenix A320 is for you, you can pick up a copy directly from the FS2Crew website for €24.99. This is a promo price and it will increase to €29.99 afterwards (no time frame mentioned). Overview Professional Airbus airline Flight Crew simulator addon for the Fenix A320. Interface options: VOICE CONTROL, BUTTON CONTROL, AUTO-RESPOND User assumes the role of the CAPTAIN / PILOT FLYING Simulated First Officer assumes role of PILOT MONITORING Procedures modeled: REVISED STOCK AIRBUS SOPS Voice sets: US, UK, EU (GERMAN) PURSER and FA CABIN PAs modeled Features Direct integration into the MSFS on screen Toolbar via the FS2CREW COMMAND CENTER SIMBRIEF integration Mobile device networking support On screen helper panels makes learning the software a breeze: All information needed to fly is now directly displayed on screen via the new INFORMATION CENTER, CHECKLIST ASSIST, FLOWS ASSIST and COMMAND ASSIST PANELS. PUSH TO TALK KEY option PREDICTIVE CAPTAIN PA system for Button Control users New AUDIO system Updated speech recognition system for better results and improved recognition MANUAL FLOW SELECTOR panel allows users to manually trigger FO flows Program is now an .exe that runs outside of MSFS. NO MORE PANEL.CFG EDITS Ability to MIX FLIGHT CREW ACCENTS (example, you can pair a British FO with a German Captain) New VISUAL STATUS DISPLAY INDICATOR New optional interface method: AUTO RESPOND Button control actions now accessible via easy DROP DOWN MENU INTERFACE Users can access and manually change sound files And more!
The A380 is coming along nicely as this new video demonstrates. The A380 by FlyByWire is one of the most anticipated aircraft in development for Microsoft Flight Simulator. We have seen a few previews of it over the past year or so, but the team has now given us the most in-depth look at the giant of the skies yet. In the two minutes of footage, we see a really close look at the flight deck’s modelling and texture work. Dials, knobs, buttons and levers are there in incredible detail. Nothing appears functional in this video, but it’s certainly the most comprehensive video we have seen so far on the freeware A380. This is an aircraft that many of us are eagerly awaiting and we can’t wait to see more. As usual, stay tuned to FSElite to learn more as we get it.
Just Flight is developing a new Regional Jet for Microsoft Flight Simulator As the successor of the BAe 146, it is only natural that prominent developer Just Flight brings us the Avro RJ series to MSFS too, called RJ Professional. Manufactured by Avro International Aerospace, 170 examples of the Avro RJ were delivered between 1993 and 2003. Visually the aircraft are very similar to the popular BAe146 series, though there are some subtle differences to both the exterior and cockpit. The Avro RJ is powered by four Honeywell LF 507 turbofans, which produce slightly more power than its predecessor, making it ideal for short, regional flights in and out of small, challenging airfields. In a short announcement, Just Flight released 3 teaser images showing us what we can expect from the product. The developer has also confirmed some of the details surrounding the release, namely that it will be for MSFS only at this stage, with an X-Plane version to come in future, once X-Plane 12 is released. There is some bad news for Prepar3D fans, Just Flight has confirmed that this product will not come to P3D. All three variants of the RJ will be released, the RJ70, RJ85, and RJ100, with over 25 liveries being created too. These should give users a good range of flights to simulate, as the Avro RJ has a varied history having been used in the Commercial world flying both passengers and cargo, it has also seen Military service as well as performing firefighting duties in more recent times. No release date or expected price has been provided so far, however, Just Flight has confirmed that owners of their 146 Professional will receive a discount when purchasing RJ Professional too.
Porto Airport is now available for Prepar3D. MK-STUDIOS, in partnership with Orbx, released LPPR Porto Airport for Prepar3D v4 and v5. MK-STUDIOS has 14 years of experience in flight simulation software development with a focus on utilizing the UNITY3D engine to produce true-to-life renditions of some of the world’s most popular airports. Porto Airport (LPPR), also known as Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport, is an international airport located just shy of 7 miles northwest from the center of Porto – the second largest city in Portugal. Porto is a popular destination for many tourists due to its rich history which includes the Historic Centre of Porto, Luis I Bridge, Monastery of Serra do Pilar, and of course Portugal’s most famous export – port wine. Porto Airport is the second-busiest airport in the country based on both aircraft operations and number of passengers. It is also a base for easyJet, Ryanair, and TAP Air Portugal. Interestingly, the airport is still known by some as Pedras Rubras (Red Rocks) Airport, named after the locality where the airport is located. If you would like to visit this beautiful airport and the historic city of Porto, you can head over to the OrbxDirect marketplace and pick up your own copy of LPPR Porto Airport for P3D, which will cost you $19.95 AUD (around €13.79, £11.69, or $14.17 USD). Feature List Highly detailed buildings specially designed and optimized for P3D PBR materials Terminal interior modeled Custom vehicles and airport objects Up to date ground layout Highly optimized dynamic lightning with different effect types adjusted for the exact type of light and direction needed Custom mesh and satellite
iniBuilds has announced a new partnership with developer iBlueYonder to release the long-awaited Dallas Love Field (KDAL) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. iniBuilds’ Sam Wheeler said, “We are super excited to announce our partnership with iBlueYonder! Bill Womack, iBlueYonder’s CEO is a an excellent and accomplished developer within flight simulation, with many admired previous title releases, and we are honoured to partner with him for his next product release.” On the iniBuilds forums, there’s a handful of screenshots of the product in action. We can see that not only has the airport been built with Bill’s usual attention to detail, but also numerous points of interest have also been carefully created for the product. The airport is currently in development and a new trailer will be released soon highlighting the product in full. When Dallas Love Field is released, it will be made available through the iniBuilds Store, SIMMARKET and the MSFS Marketplace.
Brno-Turany Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Aerosoft has released Airport Brno for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This rendition of the Brno-Turany Airport (LKTB) was developed by Pavel Movzer, who’s known for his development of several Eastern European airports for P3D including Liepaja, Kosice-Barca, Bratislava M. R. Stefanik, and Poprad-Tatry. Brno-Turany Airport is situated in the historical region of Moravia in the Czech Republic and serves Moravia’s largest city, Brno. Located at the intersection of the Svitava and Svratka rivers, Brno is the Czech Republic’s second largest city after Prague. Brno’s vibrant culture is pervasive throughout the city. In fact, Brno has 484 legally protected sites which includes the Beautiful Cathedral of Saint Peter and Paul and the Villa Tugendhat, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Brno-Turany Airport itself is located only 5 miles from the city center and is right on the edge of the Austerlitz battlefield, one of the most important engagements of the Napoleonic Wars. The airport was used by the Czechoslovak Air Force during the 1980s before being reconverted to civil use after the fall of communism in 1989. The modern airport’s design was created by the architect Petr Parolek and is heavily influenced by organic architecture, a design philosophy that emphasizes harmony between man-made and natural structures. Pavel Movzer’s faithful recreation of the airport includes a few areas of the city including the area around the Brno tower and a castle. For the simmers that love to fly helicopters, the nearby hospital is modeled alongside two usable helipads. Additional details include the fire department vehicles, fuel tankers, custom taxiway lamps, flying clubs, and more. If you would like to visit Brno, you can head on over to the Aerosoft Online Shop and pick up Brno-Turany Airport (LKTP) for MSFS, which will cost €12.56, VAT not included. Feature List Detailed passenger terminal with interior and animated passengers Airport infrastructure including buildings and hangars Flying club Brno-Slatina Flight school HERBST AERO Taxiway lamps with associated lighting Custom ground markings Animated locator antenna, passengers, flags Brno Castle Hospital including two helipads The DHL Express logistics center Logistics center near the airport Lorenc Logistic, Ltd Implemented Sokolnice weather radar
WF Scenery Studio adds third runway for Hong Kong Intl VHHH for both MSFS and P3D. On August 6, WF Scenery Studio updated their Hong Kong International Airport scenery for both Microsoft Flight Simulator and Prepar3D to include a third runway. Hong Kong International’s additional third runway, which began construction in 2016 and cost a whopping $18 billion USD, opened in July of this year. WF Scenery Studio wasted little time ensuring that owners of their existing product are able to update the scenery so they too can take-off and land on this brand new addition. For those who haven’t yet purchased this airport add-on and would like to do so, they can head over to simMarket or alternatively OrbxDirect, since they just recently announced that they are entering the Orbx marketplace.
Edmonton International Airport is now available for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Scenery developer FSimStudios has released Edmonton International Airport (CYEG) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Edmonton International Airport opened in November 1960 and is Canada’s 5th busiest airport in terms of passenger movements, it is located 16 miles southwest of downtown Edmonton, Alberta. Flair Airlines, Swoop Airlines and Westjet all use Edmonton as a major hub, with many other airlines serving the airport with domestic and international destinations. Flair Airlines and cargo carrier Morningstar Air Express have their headquarters there. FSimStudios has created a stunning rendition of Edmonton International Airport, with a high-quality depiction of the terminal and surrounding buildings, 4K PBR texturing, high-quality ground poly, custom jetways, static aircraft and a detailed terminal interior. Edmonton International Airport can be purchased from the FSimStudios website for $16.00, alternatively, it can also be purchased from third-party vendors such as Orbx Direct and Contrail. Discounts are available for existing Prepar3d and X-Plane 11 owners. Features Highly detailed representation of Edmonton International Airport CYEG. Completely re-textured terminal with High Resolution 4K PBR Textures. Custom High-Quality Ground Polygon. Terminal Interiors (can be deactivated through Scenery Configurator). Static Aircraft (can be deactivated through Scenery Configurator). Custom High-Resolution Orthophoto covering the Airport and the City of Leduc. COMING SOON: Rogers Place and ICE District (Downtown Edmonton).
SimWorks Studios shares previews of their dashing Dash 7 including other progress updates. Developer SimWorks Studios shared a progress post on their Facebook page a few days ago, highlighting updates and bug fixes to their Van’s Aircraft RV-14 and progress on their Amphibian Kodiak which mentioned only a small number of issues needed to be fixed along with SU10 testing, but the main focus of the post was on their highly anticipated de Havilland Dash 7. SimWorks de Havilland Dash 7 for Microsoft Flight Simulator is currently being developed in partnership with PILOT’S, with the announcement coming earlier this year. The team have announced that they are fully focused on the development of the Dash 7 and that they are currently working on adding decals, rivets, panel lines and dirt and grime to the exterior model. The team mentioned that the flight model of the aircraft is complete and basic flight instruments, gauges and radios have been coded and are fully functional and working. They are also working on fine-tuning the engines such as getting the right amount of RPM and torque. The liveries included will be British Antarctic Survey, Air Greenland, Brymon, Berjaya Air, Tyrolean and Continental. From the screenshots provided, the Dash 7 looks like it’s well on its way in the external modelling and we can’t wait to see more. Neither SimWorks Studios nor PILOT’S have released a price tag as of yet or a release date, until then make sure to stay tuned to FSElite for more updates.
Increase the variety of Leisure Boats and more with Vessels Enhanced AI v2 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Developer Seafront Simulations has released a major update for their Vessels: Enhanced AI product in the last week. The latest version now includes over 50 high-quality, night-lit PBR models to replace the Microsoft Flight Simulator default ones, including adding wake and smoke effects to all models. Some of the models mentioned include superyachts, sailboats, catamarans, fishing, tankers, cruiseliners, cargo ships and more. With the increase in boats, performance is going to be on the user’s mind but Seafront Simulations has promised that all models are fully optimised with multiple LODs. This also means that even when flying at high altitudes of FL300+ you should still be able to spot large ships. Additionally, this update vastly improves the regional accuracy of the product such as seeing Asian fishing boats in South East Asia or sailboats and yachts scattered around the Mediterranean. However, it is worth mentioning that this product does not add more routes to the sim and uses the default AI traffic system to display models. Unfortunately Vessels: Enhanced AI v2 is only available for the PC version of Microsoft Flight Simulator due to a bug on the Xbox version. Vessels: Enhanced AI v2 is available as a free update to existing users or you can purchase it from the MSFS Marketplace or Orbx Direct for $18.99 AUD (approximately US$13.25 | €12.96 | £10.95). Features Now includes more than 50 boats to replace the handful of default boats. Find many varieties of sailboats, catamarans, fishing boats, utility boats, motorboats, superyachts, motor yachts and more. Replaces the default ‘wanderboat’ leisure boat AI models. Replaces the default routed cargo and cruise ships. Regionally balanced models (e.g. find Asian fishing boats in Asian waters). Includes High Quality, PBR models. Optimised with multiple Levels of Detail (LODs). Includes night and navigation lighting. Includes wake and smoke VFX. REQUIRES THE FREE VESSELS CORE MODEL LIBRARY (AVAILABLE VIA ORBXDIRECT AND THE MSFS MARKETPLACE)
iniScene's latest development update announces two new sceneries and good news for X-Plane fans. In iniScene’s latest development update, iniBuild’s Ubaid has announced Ibiza Airport (LEIB) for MSFS. The announcement came coupled with a video, introducing us to the airport and some of the details and features we can come to expect from this scenery. These include a fully modelled interior, animated vegetation, accurate ground markings, rain effects, realistic night lighting and more. The video also shows a lot of clutter and vehicles everywhere, both on the air- and land-side. According to Ubaid’s statement, more information will be shared at a later date, though he did state that the scenery will be releasing this month. After having released the airport for MSFS, Ubaid also announced that X-Plane will soon get treated with iniScene’s Buffalo Niagara (KBUF). Again no feature list was shared, though the trailer gives a pretty good idea of what we can expect for this scenery: SAM Jetways, accurate ground markings, a modelled landslide, modelled interior, custom ground equipment and more. The team will also include autogen for the area surrounding the airport. All that also comes with high quality models and textures as we have come to expect from iniScene. And with X-Plane 12 soon upon us, many will be happy to hear that Buffalo Niagara will be fully compatible with this latest upcoming version of the simulator. Not only that, but iniScene is working on a few more X-Plane products for this year which will also be compatible with XP12. Both Ibiza and Buffalo Niagara are set to release soon. We will keep you up to date about any further information, release announcements and more.
The definitive version of San Fran is now available for X-Plane 11. Scenery developer Short Final Design (SFD) has released San Francisco International (KSFO) Definitive for X-Plane 11. The long-awaited airport is finally here and is one of the most detailed renditions created for the platform. The airport product is packed with features including an accurate airport layout, detailed modelling with baked ambient occlusion, interior modelling and custom high-resolution textures across the board. There is also use of PBR materials on objects and the ground, along with animated trains, cars, airport vehicles and workers. Whilst the product has been made for X-Plane 11, Short Final Design promises that there is a free update planned for X-Plane 12 at some point in the future. If you’re looking to pick up the airport, you can do so from the X-Plane.org store for $26.95 USD. Features Accurate airport layout (as of 2022) Brand-new Harvey Milk Terminal 1 Detailed models for all buildings with baked ambient occlusion Terminals with interiors PBR materials on objects and ground Custom dynamic night lighting Custom high resolution ground textures High resolution photo scenery (30cm/px) Taxi routes for AI traffic Compatible with any mesh scenery Free X-Plane 12 update planned Animated AirTrain, BART, and cars Animated highly detailed airport vehicles Animated workers and passengers Custom animated jetways and DGS (requires SAM plugin) Special lighting on international terminal and control tower on certain dates Various user-controlled hangar doors (requires SAM plugin)
MXI Design's Cypriot gateway comes to the sim. Hugely popular with European tourists, the Cypriot holiday destination of Paphos (LCPH) has arrived in Microsoft Flight Simulator. Developed by MXI Design, the joint civil-military airport on the south-west coast of the European island nation makes for a stunning approach, with rolling hills along the eastern coast and the idyllic Paphos old town to the west. The scenery features highly detailed modelled airport buildings, PBR implementation and an up to date ground layout. But pilots beware! Take care not to land on the parallel taxiway (now with bright yellow markings to remind pilots that it is just that), a mistake that was made in 2011 by a Boeing 737 crew! You can purchase a copy of Paphos International LCPH through Orbx Direct for $16.00 AUD. Features: Up to date ground layout. High detailed ground polygons and markings. High detailed modeled airport buildings for best rendition of the airport. PBR implementation to airport buildings. Basic interior model of both terminals for gives a depth. Animated passengers and flags.
Welcome to Belfast (as the sign says). Belfast International Airport (EGAA) is now available to buy for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Developer Pyreegue Dev Co has put together a realistic and detailed rendition of the Irish airport. “It features flights to many European cities and lots of leisure destinations. There’s also a variety of cargo routes to and from Belfast, since it’s also a big cargo hub of Northern Ireland.” Belfast International Airport is home to easyJet, Jet2 and others that take passengers across Europe and beyond. It features two runways, with the longest being over 9000ft. The airport comes packed with features such as detailed interior modelling, functional VDGS (powered by an external plugin), custom animated jetways, hundreds of objects and also parallax windows. There is also plenty of other buildings that have been modelled in the area including Maldron Hotel, DX Express, various car parks and much more. You can buy Belfast International (EGAA) from Orbx Direct for $29.95 AUD. Features Completely modelled terminal interior with animated people inside. Functional VDGS powered by noolaero. (Requires an external plugin) Custom Animated Jetway with a dynamic hood. Custom Ground polygons with hundreds of markings and accurate weathering 2022 layout Custom night lighting PBR texturing on all objects Hundreds of dynamic object levels of detail for ultra smooth, stutter-free performance. Default ATC/AI Traffic integration, Airline Codes specific to parking spots. Parallax windows on all objects to simulate an interior. Surroundings included, such as the massive parking lot behind the airport, Maldron Hotel, DX Express, DHL and Swissport logistics centres, McCausland Car Park, COSMO Car Hire and Parking, M&S Simply Food, EmoExpress Gas Station, Park&Fly Service, Military Barracks and a quite a few other buildings specific to the area. Animated Radars Window Rain Effects for terminal interior Highly detailed ATC tower interior with animated Tower Controllers Detailed Woodgate Aviation Hangar Static Business Jets Static Helicopters Static Airliners (Customizable option) Static one-of-a-kind Boeing RC135 Rivet Joint and an Airbus A400M Detailed fire training ground
Iconic turboprop edges ever closer to completion, say Carenado With the versatile, Swiss-built turboprop nearing its release, Carenado have teased fans on social media of the upcoming PC12 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The developer said that despite delays due to ‘unexpected setbacks’ in a Facebook post, the aircraft is fast approaching completion and progress has reportedly been made on incorporating the GTNXi avionics set by TDS, and Carenado’s own EX600 MFD displays. In a medley of screenshots teased by the developers, particular focus appears to be on the cockpit layout and the attention to detail in the largely electronic flight-deck.
Extensive upgrades have been made to the cockpit of the Dutch built jetliner Vintage jetliner fans have received an update on the upcoming Fokker 28 Fellowship by JustFlight in Microsoft Flight Simulator. In a development update, the team say ‘extensive upgrades’ have been made to the cockpit of the iconic jet aircraft that first took to the skies in 1967. Additionally, the team announced that due to the varied configuration of the jets in the real world, they have based their simulation on an aircraft the team visited at the Fokker Technical College, in an attempt to provide ‘the most authentic environment possible’. In their announcement, the team revealed the ‘artists have upgraded the visual fidelity of every area of the cockpit and are now working on even higher texture resolution for pin-sharp clarity.’ To compound their desire for realism in the flight deck, the developers say their team of testers including F28 flight, engineering and training crew, have been ‘checking over every inch of the cockpit as development work progresses.’
The new FS Traffic is coming along nicely and we get to see it in action for the first time via video. A short trailer from the Just Flight team was released earlier this week that gives us the first video footage of FS Traffic for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The new footage gives us a glimpse into the various models, liveries and how the product will work once installed in Microsoft Flight Simulator. We get to see liveries and aircraft models from across the world at numerous airports. “There’s still some way to go yet in terms of the development for this new AI Traffic program for MSS but the Just Flight team are busy working on several aspects and features of the program. This video shows the program up and running and gives you a glimpse of what’s in store.” FS Traffic is an upcoming utility product will come with a number of AI aircraft, a number of liveries and will popular airports based on real-world commercial passenger schedules. They say “the result will be a massively more immersive airport environment” We’ll be keeping a close on things and keep you updated.
Over on their Discord, FlyingIron Simulations has shared a few more previews of their upcoming Messerschmitt Bf 109. The developer teased the project first earlier this year. The previews are just renders for now, but they do show some of the detail that we can come to expect for this plane. The renders get fairly up close with the plane and show off the nose, gear bay and the exterior tank. No further progress indicators were given, and we know FlyingIron also has several other planes under development.
PMDG updates the 737-700 in-line with the 737-600 release. Building on the 737-600 release for MSFS, PMDG has also updated the 737-700. This parallel product release and update of the existing 737 variants will continue for the remaining products, ensuring each 737 has the same features and updates as each other. Known as version 3.00.0031, the update brings various changes to the 737-700, including PMDG’s new Lateral Flight Path (LFP) simulation. The new LFP simulation updates how the flight management system works out and displays the magenta line and is more accurate than any other PMDG product to date. To complement these changes, the vertical profile simulation has also been significantly improved with greater accuracy and more consistent results, thanks to more accurate computations from the LFP simulation. PMDG has also improved the Flight Director’s lateral control module, providing more realistic bank angles, allowing the aircraft to better manage the lateral path. Another update worth noting is a change to the brake pedal position module, rectifying problems relating to setting/releasing the parking brakes and the disengaging of the autobrakes. PMDG has provided the following important information on these changes: To set the parking brake, you must FIRST apply full brake then set the parking brake latch on the pedestal. The red light will illuminate, and the latch will be locked in place. To release the parking brake, you must apply full brake pressure. Changelog 0011439: [Systems – Wheels & Brakes] ABRK disengage circuit does not respect manual brake higher-pressure sensing limits before tripping autobrake (rsrandazzo) 0011333: [Systems – Wheels & Brakes] Parking Brake released when exit to menu and entering again in the sim (rsrandazzo) 0011390: [Systems – Wheels & Brakes] MSFS Parking Brake methodology needs replaced with customized real-world logic and release mechanism (rsrandazzo) 0011342: [AFDS – General] APP mode fails to Drop G/S when Nav Radio is detuned (emvaos) 0011658: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] InHG decimal arrow on standby altimeter does not line up properly with digit rollers (vscimone) 0011650: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] Build 30 BBJ – AUX Fuel tank panel displayed when no AUX fuel tanks installed (vscimone) 0011657: [General – Unsure] PMDG Mouse option Outflow Valve Manual operation (hvanrensburg) 0011186: [Main Panel – Standby Gauges] standby altimeter wrong indications when below 0 (vscimone) 0011609: [AFDS – Roll Modes] Smoothing control wheel movement with AP ON (emvaos) 0011193: [Main Panel – MCP] Selecting V/S “0” shows “0000” instead of blank (abashkatov) 0011164: [Main Panel – MCP] Selecting VS “0” should show blank Display not “000” (abashkatov) 0011654: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] Aft overhead annunciator next to No1 EEC should be Engine Control not Reverser (vscimone) 0011631: [External Model – Geometry] BDSF nose wheel does a 360 turn on full left rudder deflection (jbrown) 0011649: [Systems – Hydraulic] Alternate Brake system inoperative (rsrandazzo) 0011644: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] Digital Pressurization needle does not shut off when aircraft powered down (vscimone) 0011652: [General – Suggested/Missing Features] Misspelled Hudraulic in a checklist Item (cmakris) 0011647: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] On row D of the upper FO’s breaker panel, there’s an errant line that intersects with the ‘S’ in “FMCS”. (vscimone) 0011648: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] Text overlap on FO’s breakers (vscimone) 0011400: [Systems – Fire Protection] BDSF Cargo Detector fault light always ON (rsrandazzo) 0011626: [Virtual Cockpit – Functionality/Click-Spots] Analog altimeter baro knob does not rotate (vscimone) 0011630: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] MCP lights also illuminates the topside of the glareshield (vscimone) 0011643: [Virtual Cockpit – Geometry/Textures] AFDS flood does not illuminate STD and RST buttons (vscimone) 0011640:...
And shares other news too! PMDG announced on their customer forum yesterday that their latest addition to the MSFS 737 lineup, the -600 has been released. The Boeing 737 is a popular workhorse, flying in many domestic and international markets. Launched by Scandinavian Airlines and Boeing in 1995 as a replacement for the ageing 737-500, the 737-600 makes up just 1% of the nearly 7,000 737 Next-Generations (NGs) delivered. The first aircraft was delivered to the airline in September 1998, with the last one produced for WestJet in 2006. PMDG has been faithful to Boeing’s design and is offering the 737-600 passenger variant with straight-edged wings only, but has still managed to pack a lot of detail into the smallest 737NG produced. The aircraft has a customised sound environment, highly detailed flight deck, dozens of user-selectable air carrier options and a full ground services simulation. It has also been confirmed that as with the 737-700, the -600 will also remain in active development meaning new features such as PMDG’s new Universal Flight Tablet will be added as a free update. This update will bring Navigraph and Simbrief integration, greatly enhancing pre-flight and en-route planning. Priced at $34.99 USD, the 737-600 is available now, directly from PMDG.
Explore San Antonio today thanks to the new release from iniScene/iniBuilds. Scenery developer iniBuilds has released San Antonio for Microsoft Flight Simulator. San Antonio Airport (KSAT) first opened in 1942 but now sees 53 non-stop flights across the Continental US and Mexico. There are a bunch of features that come with the product, including hand-made ground textures, bespoke taxi signage, detailed interior modelling and also custom-built jetways. iniScene has also included dynamic ground handling vehicles, dynamic airport lighting, and also used 30cm/px satellite imagery which has been blended into the default scenery for the most immersive experience possible. The full feature list is down below. iniScene has previously said, “not only will this scenery be some of our best work visually, but will also have some details not seen before in some of our other products. A true commitment to always taking our products to the next level – allowing us to provide you with some of the best products on the market.” You can San Antonio from the iniBuilds store right now for £16.49 (excluding taxes). Features: Hand-made ground polygons with crisp, bespoke texture sets (Runways, aprons, paths, roads) Thousands of hand-placed custom car models True-to-life airport land side recreation with custom ground decals, signposts, vegetation, parking lots and more Accurately modelled and positioned dynamic airport lighting Hand-placed, high-definition vegetation, signage, ground clutter, vehicles, handling objects and more which have been custom-modelled in house by the iniScene team Bespoke taxi signage as it is in the real world Highly detail models of all airport buildings, objects and surroundings Main airport terminal interior with lighting and custom objects Use of the latest MSFS SDK features to allow for the best optimisation and performance possible 30cm/px satellite imagery which has been hand corrected and colour blended to MSFS’ Bing satellite data Custom built jetways with stand signs and airline logos per spot, PBR texturing and animations Accurate logos and real-world decals scattered throughout the airport to promote a true to life feeling Custom dynamic ground handling vehicles integrated over updates, to start we’ve included our custom pushback tug, that replaces the default Asobo Pushback vehicle at San Antonio exclusively Level of Detail (LOD) optimisation for every model to encourage the best performance possible Compiled and optimised for Xbox Series X and S Detailed, custom terminal interior model Windshield rain effects for the terminal, and other assets around the vicinity Animated palm trees at both entry ways to the terminal (roadside) Detailed fire and rescue station with interior, along with true to KSAT fire engines Custom ground handling/workers positions and spawn parameters on all parking spots
Here's a new video on the PMDG 737-600 for MSFS. YouTuber and PMDG 737 beta tester, 737NG Driver has produced a 45 minute video on the upcoming 737-600 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. In the 45-minute video, 737NG Driver takes us through a short flight from Las Vegas to Area 51 in the new PMDG 737-600 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. During the video, we see the plane complete a flight from take off to landing, whilst he speaks about some of the new features and quirks of the smallest of the 737 NG variants. During the video, 737NG Driver spoke about the pricing and said that the PMDG 737-600 will be the “lowest priced high-fidelity aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator”. It’s not explicitly said how much it will be based on the video. The aircraft is due to release soon, but no specific date has yet been given. We’ll keep you updated with any possible new information. You can watch the full video above.