Today third-party developers shared some interesting news about Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons, on top of an airport release.
We start with Hype Performance Group's reveal of the Boeing 747 Supertanker, which will be released on June 16 for $19.99. This is a quite interesting package, as it converts the default 747-8i into a firefighting behemoth. It even comes with a conversion for the Beechcraft King Air 350i into a lead plane capable of directing AI-controlled Supertankers.
While the real supertanker, retired in 2021, was actually a 747-400, this is definitely an original product that builds on the developer's vocation of including more action-focused gameplay in the simulator, which we already saw with the Airbus H145 helicopter. Here's what you can expect, alongside a trailer.
Built-in Missions & Mission Editor
- HPG's built-in mission system requires no external application to be run and allows simmers to complete firefighting and oil spill cleanup missions inside MFS
- HPG's mission system is able to randomly generate wildfire fighting or oil spill cleanup missions all around the world
- Use the HPG Mission Editor to build and import custom missions with an easy to use graphical interface
- Use the HPG Live Map to view the location of other online HPG SuperTankers and HPG H145s
Aircraft Systems Expansion
- Adds advanced systems and mission capabilities to Asobo's Boeing 747 (tanker system) and King Air 350i (smoke system)
- Adds a realistic and functional CPS (Constant Pressure System) agent drop system with dynamic weight and realistic CG loading
- Adds drop station panel for complete control over drop configurations
- Adds tanker monitoring panel (optional in-cockpit pilot display)
- Adds custom ground handling services (water and air trucks, ground personnel, and charging hoses)
- Adds ability for the King Air 350i to be used as a lead plane that directs AI controlled 747 SuperTankers to mission targets
- SDK: H:Events and L:Vars for custom bindings are available without needing external tools
Immersive Visuals & Sounds
- Iconic Global SuperTanker and Evergreen SuperTanker liveries included in high fidelity
- Custom visual effects included for external valves, water and retardant drops, smoke, fires and oil spills
- Custom ground handling vehicle pack with lights, sounds and visual effects
- Custom crew sounds (for the 747 SuperTanker and the King Air lead plane)
- Custom sounds for ground handling vehicles
- Custom environmental sounds for fires (heard in external views)
Moving on to DC Designs, we get a new look at the F-4J Phantom. The package is nearly complete and basically just waiting for the sounds by Sim Acoustics, which should be ready by the end of the month.
DC Designs also provided the first look at the flight deck of the C-5A Galaxy military transport. This has actually been modeled by Miltech Simulations, known for its excellent Osprey. The aircraft's release is expected around the end of 2023.
Last, but not least, Shadescene released Senai International Airport (WMKJ) in Malaysia. It's currently available on Simmarket for $11.77.
Here's what it promises and a gallery of screenshots.
- Custom terraforming
- Custom scenery objects for the Terminal, Hangar, and more
- Animated radar tower
- Custom Jetways
- Moderate terminal interior details.
- Hand-placed Taxiways and Runway light system. Taxiways center, Taxiways edge, Runway light system, etc.
- Full Day/Night lighting.
- Hand-crafted ground markings and textures.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is currently available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, including Game Pass. If you'd like to learn more, you should stay tuned on TechRaptor as we have daily Microsoft Flight Simulator news to keep you updated on the many add-ons coming and released for the sim. We have also recently interviewed Microsoft's Jorg Neumann about the Antonov An-225 "Mriya" and iniBuilds' CEO Ubaid Mussa on the work of the popular third-party developer. If you're interested in reviews, you can check out iniBuilds' New York-JFK Airport, Orbx's Oslo Gardermoen Airport, and RHDSimulations' Boeing 767-300ER.
