Third-party developers shared news about their add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, including a feature that has been in the works for a very long time.
I'm talking about the Universal Flight Tablet for PMDG's excellent Boeing 737s, which will then be applied to all future aircraft by the popular developer.
Unfortunately, the tablet has taken a long time in the oven, with the first 737 released in May 2022. As a matter of fact, it has been teased for so long that it has become a bit of a meme among the community.
Today we hear from CEO Robert Randazzo that a release date has been internally decided during the company's weekly meeting and... they won't tell us yet when it is.
The update (which will of course be free) is being prepared and some preview material is also coming and will be published "shortly."
Apparently, the release of said preview material will also coincide with the announcement of the release date so the wait shouldn't be too long.
If you're unfamiliar with the tablet, it's basically an EFB (electronic flight bag) that allows the user to control certain aspects of the simulation much more comfortably compared with the current setup via the FMC.
On top of that, it also includes the all-important performance calculations for take-off and landing, for which users have been using external programs.
We also get an update on the Boeing 777.
We haven't gone to beta testing just yet. We thought we would be in testing by end September, but Supply Chain Issues have caused that schedule to slip. Okay, perhaps not supply chain issues, but every other industry is using that term of late- so I thought I should slide it in there in order to remain current. Truth is that our 777 dev team got decimated by a combination of illness and family emergencies and we still aren't quite back up to full speed- but things are improving.
We are incredibly pleased with how this product is coming together, and our fly-by-wire system has proven the match for MSFS with this magnificently capable airliner. The handling characteristics and feel of flying the 777 is unmatched by any other airliner- and we have that replicated to perfection in the MSFS environment. We cannot wait for you to finally have a true, high fidelity long-hauler in your PMDG hangar.
Product details and previews are very much anticipated- we understand that. But we are keeping the whole thing in close right now because it has some surprises and we want to be sure you get to enjoy the wow-factor of the first previews- so we are holding them back for now.
I will keep you posted as to how we progress in getting the airplane into beta testing. That is our #1 agenda item for the 777 team right now. Well... getting the team back to full strength and speed is #1, but crossing into beta testing is the #2 item for certain!
Next, we get an update from Drzewiecki Design, which released news screenshots of its upcoming Copernicus Airport Wrocław (EPWR) in Poland.
Last, but not least, Silvercrest Creations released Sioux Lookout Airport (CYXL) in Ontario, Canada.
It's available on Simmarket for $7.39 and you can check out a couple of trailers below.
As usual, I leave you with the reminder that we host daily Microsoft Flight Simulator news here on TechRaptor, to keep you up to date with the many add-ons coming for the sim.
