Microsoft Flight Simulator Embraer E175 Gets Release Date, Details, & Pricing; Airbus A318 Released

Here's your daily dose of Microsoft Flight Simulator news: the Embraer E170 got an early access release date, details, & pricing, an Airbus A318 has been released; Stockholm & Iguazu Airports got new screenshots 😎


Published: January 5, 2023 10:56 PM /

By:


Microsoft Flight Simulator Early Access Embraer E-Jets

Today was a rather intense day for Microsoft Flight Simulator news, including reveals and releases related to relevant aircraft and airport add-ons. 

We start with the release of the Airbus A318 by LatinVFR. It's available on the official Microsoft Flight Simulator marketplace and priced at $17.99. If you're familiar with this kind of add-on, you know that you get what you pay for, which is a conversion of the default Airbus A320neo to match the 318. This means that you shouldn't expect in-depth simulation. 

Two versions are included, the passenger version and the A318CJ Business Jet versions. We're also getting custom sounds based on the CFM engines, custom flight models for the two variants, and wing flex.

You can see what the aircraft looks like and the liveries coming with the package in the gallery below.

We finally get some firm information about the Embraer E-Jets by FlightSim Studio. The early access version featuring the E175 will be released on January 10 on Aerosoft's store, priced at €33. It will offer the following features.

3D Model

  • Precise and highly detailed recreation of the E-Jets Series (interior & exterior)
  • Including long and short winglet version
  • Using native MSFS technologies like:
  • High resolution decals
  • Crisp and sharp liveries
  • PBR effects throughout
  • Custom icing model
  • Individual interior and exterior lighting
  • Hundreds of animations including wipers, seats, wingflex, etc.
  • Ground service docking config
  • Dynamic registration number
  • 7 detailed liveries included:
    • American Airlines
    • United Airlines
    • Alaskan Airlines
    • KLM
    • LOT
    • Fuji Dream
    • FSS
    • Free liveries at flightsim.to

Flight Instruments

  • Realistic Primary Flight Display (LOAD27) including :
  •  Autopilot FMAs
  •  V-Speeds readout
  • Low Speed Awareness tapes
  • VMO/MMO barber poles
  • Metric altitude readout
  • Trend vectors
  • BARO in hpa and inhg
  • Radio altitude readout
  • Flight director (bar/cue)
  • Flight path vector
  • Slip/skid indication
  • Vertical deviation scale/pointer (LOC only)
  • HSI (Compass only)
  • Custom Multifunctional Display including:
  • MAP mode (arc view with routing and navaids)
  • Progress display
  • Custom system pages (STATUS, ANTI ICE, ECS, ELEC, FLTCTRL, FUEL, HYDR, ENGINE, CONFIG)
  • Realistic Integrated Electronic Stanby System (IESS)
  • Custom EICAS display including all required system information
  • Custom digital clock
  • Custom coded Audio Control Panel (VHF1-3, NAV1-3)

Autoflight System

  • Custom Flight Director implementation including TO mode.
  •  Automatic Yaw Damper logic
  • MAN speed mode
  • Custom tuned lateral autopilot modes (ROLL, HDG, LNAV, LOC, TRACK)
  • Custom tuned vertical autopilot modes (FPA, TO, ASEL, FLCH, ALT, VS, GS)
  • Corresponding Flight Mode Annunciators on PFD

Sounds

  • Custom soundpack specifically done for this product
  • Immersive cockpit feeling typical for E-Jets
  • Based on real world recordings
  • Includes several warning and alert sounds

Flight Dynamics

  • Correct weight & balance behavior
  • Performance in reasonable limits to real world data
  • Configured by real world airline pilot

Documentation

  • Online documentation available:
  • Study Guide
  • Autopilot Guide
  • MCDU Guide
  • Professional Bug Tracking and Reporting

System Simulation

  • All systems custom coded based on real aircraft manual
  • Electrics (AC/DC)
  • APU including realistic procedures
  • Hydraulics
  • Heating / Ice Protection
  • Air Condition / Pneumatics

Flight Management System

  • Detailed replica of the LOAD27 MCDU:
  • Custom lateral route management incl. SID/STAR
  • Performance Initialization & Data
  • Fuel Management
  • Takeoff and Landing speed calculation
  • Flight Summary
  • COM/NAV integration
  • Conversion Calculations
  • Maintenance Pages
  • Progress overview
  • Direct keyboard entry available

Usability

  • Interactive MSFS checklist with custom cameras and highlightings
  • MCDU input via keyboard
  • Route integration into native MSFS map
  • Using native MSFS nav database
  • Pop-out screens

It's very relevant to clarify that this is an early access product and as such released incomplete. At release, it will be far from what anyone would define as "study level" with several relevant systems features missing including VNAV, speed and altitude navigation constraints, vertical profile on the MFD, TCAS, Holds, airspeed mode for FMS and Autopilot, go-around flight director modes, EPGWS, and more, on top of quality-of-life features like Simbrief integration and Navigraph charts on the EFB. The developers have been fairly transparent about this and published a detailed roadmap in which users can vote for features that they want to be prioritized. Full documentation is also already available.

During a livestream hosted by YouTube user cruiselevel (which you can watch here), the developers provided an extensive look at the aircraft that has been in development for about a year by a team of 8 people with the help of 15 of type-rated pilots helping with testing. 

Updates at no additional cost every two weeks after release have been promised, with the final version aiming to offer high-level simulation. The E170 will also be provided at no additional cost, while the E190 and E195 will "probably" be sold as a separate package. No time frame has been provided at the moment for the completion of the project but the developer floated a "12 months" figure to reach a "fantastic product." Below you can check out a few new screenshots.

Moving on to airports, we take a good look at Stockholm Arlanda (ESSA) in Sweden in development at Orbx for Microsoft Flight Simulator, with new screenshots provided by the developer of Terminal 5F. The VDGS systems still have to be added alongside a few details on the satellite buildings. 

The developer created airline-specific textures for the luggage containers that will be placed at the correct piers. 

Last, but not least, Simulación Extrema released more pictures of Cataratas del Iguazú International Airport (SARI) in Argentina. The airport is coming soon to Microsoft Flight Simulator for both PC and Xbox. 

Have a tip, or want to point out something we missed? Leave a Comment or e-mail us at tips@techraptor.net


Giuseppe Nelva Profile Picture
| News Editor

News Editor at TechRaptor since January 2023 following over 20 years of professional experience in gaming journalism both on print media and on the web.… More about Giuseppe

More Info About This Game
Learn more about Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020)
Developer
Asobo Studio
Publisher
Xbox Game Studios
Release Date
August 18, 2020 (Calendar)
Purchase (Some links may be affiliated)