Today is a big day for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with plenty of juicy news and releases across aircraft and scenery add-ons.
Likely the most exciting is the first trailer of the Boeing 777 by acclaimed developer PMDG, which we can finally see in all its glory including the exterior, flight deck, and cabin.
According to CEO Robert Randazzo, its release is "just around the corner" and it'll be "within 2 months, probably a little bit closer," so we don't need to wait too long to fly this long-haul beauty. The pricing will be in line with PMDG's 737s, which are priced between $34.99 and $69.99.
The developer is identifying one of the less popular variants of the triple-7 to sell at the lower end of the range to give people an entry point.
As a bonus, we also get a long video with Randazzo himself, in which he answers questions from perspective 777 pilots.
We learn that the first variant release will be the 777-300ER, followed by the freight variant 777F. The 200ER and the 200LR will also come at a later date. Each will be an individual release.
Interestingly, we also hear that the developer is having "a conversation right now" with Boeing about the 777X, while the 737 MAX (of which we have not seen anything yet) will be released at some point between the variants of the 777.
Next is another announcement from FlightFX, which certainly had quite a lot to share as of late with the reveal of its work on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024's default aircraft and the upcoming Cessna Citation X.
We hear on the developer's Discord server that it has started work on the Bombardier Challenger 350 and 3500. Below you can check out some images from the 3D scans performed on the real aircraft and early modeling work.
More images come from Indiafoxtecho showcasing its Panavia Tornado. The aircraft is now 99% complete and we hear that its pricing should hover around €29.99 plus applicable VAT.
It'll come for both PC and Xbox and the release will either be simultaneous or with a slight delay depending on testing results. Below you can read more details directly from the developers.
VERSIONS:
The core version is the (very) early Tornado IDS. External models for early GR.1 and ECR versions will also be provided, but they will share the IDS cockpit.
WEAPONS AND LOADOUTS:
The aircraft model will include the following:
- MK-82, MK-82SE, MK-83, Kormoran and Sidewinders
- AGM-88 for ECR version
- External fuel tanks (including 2250L for the GR.1 version)
- BOZ, Cerberus and Sky Shadow pods
As you know, weapon models are NOT allowed on Marketplace items, but the IndiaFoxtEcho Companion Package will be supported and fuel tanks and ECM pods should be present also on XBox copies.
BACKSEAT/MULTICREW
You can jump on the backseat, but functionality will be limited to what is necessary for navigation and normal aircraft operation.
Proper multicrew is NOT supported (hopefully this will be improved with MSFS2024).
Note that at the moment, if you start "cold and dark" YOU MUST jump into the backseat to start the Main Computer and the IN, SAHR, Doppler and CRPMD systems.
LIVERIES
Since the whole team is Italian, the livery package at the moment is a little biased towards the Bel Paese... but we will add more liveries in future. At the moment we have:
- 11 AMI liveries (9 IDS + 2 ECR)
- 4 Luftwaffe liveries (3 IDS +1 ECR)
- 5 RAF liveries (3 camo + 1 desert + RAE)
- 1 Saudi livery
We are working on more, and we'll also provide a paint-kit.
IN-FLIGHT REFUEL
We are using a solution similar to the F-35, so that, in certain conditions, you can actually refuel the aircraft during flight. However, it refuels "out of thin air". Buddy pack will not be present in the initial release, but we are looking to add it with an update.
TERRAIN FOLLOWING RADAR
It is there... well, sort of. Given that a proper TFR is not natively supported by the SDK, we have explored different possibilities (including some which were very accurate, but had potential compatibility problems)...and in the end we decided to go for a simple solution - which works relatively well.
Basically the avionics use data from the radar-altimeter to try and guess the terrain profile... it works better than expected, provided that the ride height is higher than the highest altitude variation you will encounter. Of course, the higher the speed and the lowe the ride height, the higher the collision risk.
That's not all on the screenshots front, as Aerosoft shared new images of its Frankfurt Airport (EDDF) in Germany. According to the developer, we're getting "closer" to its release.
Next, Pacific Islands Simulation released new screenshots of its Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport (KGSP) in the US. There are only "a few items" left to finish before release.
Moving on to releases, the LZ 129 Hindenburg Zeppelin by Red Wing Simulations has been launched for both PC and Xbox.
It's priced at $29.99 and it's available only on the official in-sim marketplace for now. Below you can watch a few new videos showing it in action.
Another release comes from Simulación Extrema and it's Mérida International Airport (MMMD) in Mexico, also known as Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport.
It's available for both PC and Xbox only on the official in-sim marketplace for $13.99. It comes with the following features.
- Customized jetways.
- Custom earthenware, taxiway and Runways textures
- PBR textures in 4K high resolution.
- Custom track textures and aprons.
- Added some sculptures to the outside area of the terminal.
- All heliports for civil and tactical operations are incorporated.
- Taxi parking was incorporated at the air base.
SamScene3D released USA Modern Cities Vol.3 (following the previous Volume 2), including Dallas, Austin, San Diego, and Houston.
It's available on the official in-sim marketplace for both PC and Xbox and on the developer's own store only for PC for $19.95. It includes the following features.
- Over 80 handcrafted building models in each city
- Replaced default broken bridges with handcrafted bridges over the cities
- Beautiful night effects
- Most building rooftops are landable helipads
- Compatible with other developer airport addons
- Can be used with the photogrammetry turned off
As usual, I leave you with the mention that here on TechRaptor we cover daily Microsoft Flight Simulator news for your perusal. Just yesterday, we learned that the Antonov An-225 "Mriya" sold almost 100,000 copies and its proceeds ($1.5 million) will go to Antonov itself to help rebuild the aircraft.
