Today third-party developers provided plenty of relevant news about upcoming and existing Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons.
We start with Fenix, which released its Airbus A320 exactly a year ago. After a quiet period in which the developer has been heads down working on improving the aircraft, today we hear about an upcoming "V2" update that appears to be massive.
The update will bring the much-awaited IAE engine variant built with Fenix's proprietary external engine model technology, an overhaul of display graphics and fonts (including a "noticeable and meaningful performance boost" while still improving the visuals), shadow-casting lights, and a relevant improvement to the flight model.
On the flight model front, we can expect improved crosswind behavior on takeoffs and landings, fixed rotation behavior, and more. The aircraft is also getting "a number of avionics changes and fixes" with a changelog that appears to be too long to list for now, including "a number of common bugbears with VNAV, DECEL point calculations, general system behavior errors, hydraulic system improvements, issues with autoflight missing descent constraints, FMA improvements, crash fixes, so on and so forth."
Lastly, the EFB tablet is also getting overhauled to improve responsiveness and add features, including the ability to add a custom runway intersection to the performance calculation and the option to disable the lock screen. Of course, the IAE engines will get their own performance calculation.
Since the development update comes in at 5,000 words, and includes several videos and pictures, it'd be impossible to include everything here, but I encourage you to read the full post on Fenix's website. A release date has not been announced for the update just yet.
Shifting to the other side of the narrow-body airliner sky, PMDG has changed its estimate for the release on Xbox of the Boeing 737-700 and 737-800. If everything goes perfectly, they should come out on May 25 or June 1 due to a slowdown in the intake process on Microsoft's side. The developer recommends patience.
Moving on to a more vintage breed of airliner, Just Flight showcased a new video of the Fokker F-28 Fellowship, focusing on the definitely fetching modeling and texturing of the cabin. Interestingly, there are rather unique animations and features, including the ability to set your own cabin music.
We also hear that the developers are applying the finishing touches to the aircraft and beta testing is "well underway." While we get no release date today, the "finish line is in sight."
We then get an announcement from Carnenado, which will release the Cessna 182RG, and showcased a few screenshots to celebrate the reveal.
More screenshots also come from DC Designs, which had a lot to show today of the upcoming F-4 Phantom, including a metric ton of liveries and the functional radar and inertial navigation system.
We also hear that the extendable oleo nose-gear for carrier launches will work correctly and that the aircraft is in the closing steps of production and it should release on Just Flight's shop in early June. A marketplace release for PC and Xbox will follow soon after.
Moving on to releases, Cowan Simulation launched its Bell 222B helicopter. For the moment, it's available only on the developer's own store, but it'll come soon to retailers like Orbx and the official marketplace both for PC and Xbox.
It's priced at $29.99 and here is what you can expect.
- Free Future Updates
- Detailed Paint Kit
- Tested and Zeroed in by Real Pilots
- Realistic start up procedure
- Pilots & Passengers
- Customizable Panel Configurations
- 39 Paint Jobs (liveries)
- Blade Slap and Vibrations
- Dynamic Weight Options
- Functional Spot Light
- Medical Version (HEMS)
- Luxury Version
- Wwsie Fully Dynamic Sound Pack
- Virtual Reality Ready
- Realistic Flight Dynamics
- 4K PBR Textures
- Custom 3D instruments
- Detailed Night Lighting
Last, but not least, SLH Sim Design released Robert L. Bradshaw Airport (TKPK), serving Saint Kitts and Nevis in the West Indies.
It's currently available at iniBuilds' store for $18.00 with the following features.
- Fully Modelled airport
- Dynamic night lighting
- Custom 3D taxi/runway signs and lights
- Fully Modelled airport with Attention to detail throughout the entire scenery
- Accurately modelled terminal interior and airside with passengers
- Added static sea traffic
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.
