Following the delay announced last week, Aerosoft has finally released the v2 update for its Bombardier CRJ regional jet for Microsoft Flight Simulator and MSFS 2024.
One of the most relevant new features is indeed Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 compatibility, bringing the relevant aircraft to the new simulator.
It’s worth reminding that the CRJ (specifically the 700 and 550 variants) was the first complex payware airliner to ever be released for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, so it’s certainly nice to be able to fly it in MSFS 2024.
As mentioned when the update was revealed, the variants (700, 550, 900, and 1000) have all been consolidated in a single package priced at approximately $51 plus taxes on Aerosoft’s store and Orbx Direct. It’ll also come soon to the official marketplace.
Those who purchased any variant of the aircraft previously for MSFS 2020 will receive the new package in its entirety, so if you got only the 700 and 550, or the 900 and 1000, you effectively get two variants at no additional cost.
Incidentally, if you’d like to hear more about Aerosoft’s plans for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, you can check out our recent interview.
Below you can read the extensive changelog. The current version is numbered 2.0.11.
- Changes to localizer capture settings
- Added a delay after pressing MCDU EXEC key (~ 0.5 seconds)
- Fixed pitch up after HDG/NAV ON->OFF->ON and PAUSE -> UNPAUSE (for the umpteenth time…)
- Fixed FS setting altimeter for a second time if “B” (“,” in FS2024) is pressed
- Updated turnaround switch settings
- Fixed engine sync knob reversed
- Fixed side panel display selection knob reversed
- Fixed co-pilot side panel speed knob behavior
- Fixed altimeter QNH/STD toggle
- Improved ISI boot and alignment sequence
- Increased the DIR turn distance from 1 NM to calculated turn distance
- Fixed MFD flightplan ETA label to be based on current zulu time
- Added code to allow entering “18105” for 118.105 (requires full decimal places!)
- Reduced left/right dome, pedestal and side panel flood light intensity
- Updated PFD sky/ground default colors to better match the real aircraft (note: you need to reset your sky/ground colors to default for this to be visible)
- Removed “SPD” and “PATH” from FMA armed column, if coupled VNAV is disabled
- Changed MDA de-/increments from 1ft to 10ft
- Added wind speeds H, T, P and M selection into scratchpad on PERF INIT page 2
- Changed icing info message for more realistic behavior
- Fixed engine not starting when aircraft is loaded at apron
- Fixed stall test possible without battery/dc essential power
- Fixed wipers working without DC power
- Fixed Gear Bay Overheat warning working without battery power
- Fixed an issue with vertical directs causing the VNAV path only to be calculated to the first AT constraint
- Rounded VS indication on DESC INFO page to 100fpm
- Activating of vert mode in TO now activates HDG HOLD instead of ROLL
- Triggered GPWS altitude callouts 2 feet earlier to cover sound replay delay
- Improved DME Arc entry/exit
- Disabled VOR autotune when Nav source is not FMS1/2
- Improved sequencing for LJLJ ILS30 approach (Note: the turn is max 210kt according to the chart. This speed constraint is not in the database)
- Fixed Simbrief flight number and callsign import
- Fixed TO mode not disabling if another mode is selected
- Fixed inbound course entering on HOLD page
- Fixed a calculation issue with holdings
- Changed OFP Viewer to show COMPANY NOTAM as selected if document is scrolled down to the end
- Added fallback for opposite runway threshold calculation (e.g. EDDF/18)
- Added air condition and pack sounds in cabin
- Added improved LOC intercept at high angles
- Fixed missing mag var in INTC CRS calculation
- Fixed a crash on PILOT ROUTE LIST page when PREV/NEXT PAGE is pressed without a flightplan available
- Fixed PILOT ROUTE LIST page count
- Fixed an issue in the Navigraph connection module which caused charts to be black after first connect.
- Fixed a livery issue with all -1000 models
- Fixed persistent UNABLE FPLN ALT message (CLR inhibits it until the next EXEC)
- Fixed a drawing issue with right turn DME arcs
- Added updated cabin model
- Fixed typo in seat belts sign behavior XML
- Fixed baked shadow behind service door lever
- Fixed wrong waypoint selection on DIR INTC page
- Fixed too long line after editing CRS INTC (was 150NM instead of 5NM)
- Fixed button feedback for EFB toggle and radio buttons
- Fixed VNAV descent rate too low on current leg
- Fixed VGP mode activation
- Fixed distance calculation for (INTC) – DME arc sequence
- Fixed switch from VAL51 to DIDVU on LYBE RIGM3K departure
- Fixed an issue where LNAV track correction was not applied under certain circumstances
- Fixed alt leg position getting overwritten after a direct
- Changed MFD VNAV window to not show time to TOD while on the ground
- Added a function to automatically remove wheel chocks if GSX starts pushing back the aircraft
- Improved LOC capture
- Removed “range to alt” indicator for ALT HOLD, ALT SEL and APPR modes
- Fixed a WASM crash when flying without a valid FMS flightplan
- Reworked cabin wall around windows
- Added cabin window glass added
- Reworked EXIT signs
- Modified cabin metal materials
- Created a bolder font for PFD throttle hint
- Added interaction feedback for EFB UI buttons
- Fixed HCP runway length and elevation entry
- Changed ENG START button to require a long click (2-3 seconds) to activate
- Fixed flight director pitch offset and bank speed
- Increased cabin light effect intensity (middle ground between FS2020 and 2024)
- Fixed a VS out of range indication in MFD VNAV window
- Fixed inverted Ext Pwr receptacle
- Updated cabin with higher polygon model
- Added missing information to FUEL MGMT page (TTR, RTR, SP RNG TAS, SP RNG GS)
- Fixed center cargo door on EFB
- Fixed GPWS TERR and FLAP inhibit switches
- Fixed RA Test switch
- Added service door and cockpit door sounds
- Updated spatial positioning and orientation of all door sounds
- Fixed “aircraft on ground” detection when nose gear is lifted by GSX pushback truck
- Fixed MFD destination runway draw bug
- Fixed NOT ALLOWED message on CDU DIR INTC page if waypoint is after (VECT) or DISCO
- Reduced IAS/CLB/DES switch altitude form 29000 to 27000ft
- Fixed an issue where the coordinates of the opposite runway threshold were invalid (Heading to Intc legs)
- Fixed a couple of LNAV tracking issues
- Fixed CHIME button
- Added Ident NAV radio tuning on FMS RADIO page
- Added HSI sensitivity for RNP
- Fixed a condition where no top of descent was calculated
- Added VS requirement for VNAV descent in MFD VNAV window
- Fixed right EFIS panel speed set button
- Fixed DIR INTC alt and angle indications (calculated from aircraft to constraint/VNAV path)
- Fixed (or better: found workaround for) baro sync in MSFS 2024
- Changed start of altitude capture to 12% of vertical speed
- Added pinned charts to EFB
- Added aircraft mismatch warning for Simbrief flightplan import
- Fixed removal of duplicate waypoints when sequencing approach transitions (EDLW ILS 06 DOR ADEM2A)
- Fixed name change when setting a direct to a Fix-to-XXX waypoint (e.g. DOR/06)
- Added quick realign mode to IRS (switch IRS from NAV to OFF and back to NAV within 5 seconds)
- Fixed intercept leg following departure runway
- Improved LNAV handling of steep turns (angle of 135+ degrees)
- Increased maximum ground speed for chocks removal (GS simvar increases to 2.5-3.5 kts when GSX lifts the nose wheel)
- Increased minimum ground speed for brake temperature build up (see above)
- AI Sound pack added
- Fixed PERF INIT page ETA calculation
- Added an EFB option to enable/disable automatic GSX door handling (Page 3)
- Moved Sound and Avatar options to EFB page 3; rearranged page 2
- Fuel panel not shows progress of the GSX refueling process
- Added AUTO XFLOW EICAS message when fuel panel is powered
- Added special handling if destination airport is entered as a flightplan leg (don’t do that!)
- Fixed LOC0 display on first officer’s PFD
- Added aviaServer support for both CDUs (requires aviaServer license)
- Added sounds for passenger door and cargo doors
- Replaced avionics fan sound
- Set TCAS default setting from ABS to REL
- Moved sound package and sound.xml from each aircraft variant to centralized location
- Added “NO FLIGHT PLAN” indication to PFD HSI
- Removed course pointer from PFD HSI if no flight plan is active
- Fixed DH/MDA knob acceleration
- Change baro increment to 1 hPa/click when in hPa mode
- Fixed NAV mode not switching to LOC after changing nav source to VOR1/2
- Fixed THROTTLEx_DECR key input moving reverser levers while throttle in shutoff
- Fixed a VNAV issue where waypoints following a constraint during descent had a higher altitude than the constraint
- Extended climb performance data tables to FL410
- Added UNABLE CRZ ALT message if no climb data is available for the combination of TO weight and cruise altitude
- Added AUTO mode implementation for cabin and galley lights
- Fixed emergency floor lights not turning off
- Fixed LNAV tracking lost after activating SEC FPLN
- Changed close-up camera (default setting: POV switch down) to be closer to the panel
- Added CRJ-700/900/1000 cabins
- Reworked LODs
- Fixed system re-initialization after leaving ESC menu (MSFS2024)
- Added Nav Source synchronization option
- Added Course 1/2 synchronization option
- Fixed additional line and misplaced text at EDDS ILS 07 approach
- Added POS INIT requirement for IRS alignment (aircraft config no longer GNSS-only but GNSS + IRS now)
- Added GPS initialization simulation
- Fixed KMFR 14 JKSN1 departure INTC leg.
- Added arrow end to intercepts on MFD flightplan
- Fixed blinking fuel and pack lights when switching the battery on in cold&dark (MSFS2024)
- Fixed main gear contact points
- Changed “CRJ-550ER” to “CRJ-550”
- Changed PFD/MFD/EICAS fonts to a thinner visual style for better readability
- Added “NO FLIGHT PLAN” message to MFD
- Fixed packs showing as on too early on ECS synoptic page
- Added Simbrief takeoff data display
- Fixed flickering taxi and wing lights (MSFS2024)
- Fixed anti-skid switching off automatically (MSFS2024)
- Fixed MFD GS scale position
- LNAV tracking improvments
- Fixed a bug with altitude constraint propagation to previous waypoints
- Brake temperature increase improved
- Optimized TAWS terrain display
- Added gear up warning horn (incl. mute logic)
- Changed nose landing light to LED appearance
- Changed aileron support to begin at 3 degrees aileron deflection
- Fixed DME arc draw routine
- Fixed Radius to Fix draw routine
- LNAV improvements (EDDH BOGM2P STAR)
- Added landing distance calculator
- Changed annunciator textures to be mostly dark when unlit
- Added 3 LOD levels to the CRJ-550/700/900/1000 exterior models
- Fixed hold curves drawing
- Fixed hold tracking
- Fixed an issue with active x-side fightplan editing
- Added dampening for PFD airspeed indicator
- Added CLR long press to clear scratchpad
- Added Sim Rate indication in EFB status bar
- Fixed a bug which prevented proper clearing of arrival waypoints when changing STAR
- Fixed PLAN mode waypoint stepping
- Fixed missing lines to/from holding entry on MFD flightplan
- Fixed Fix to DME distance leg calculation using course instead of radial
- Fixed aircraft not climbing beyond FL300-320 in IAS and CLB modes
- Fixed 10000 digit on altimeter cut off on the left side
- Added GRND PROX TERRAIN and GRND PROX FLAP functionality
- Added short EGPWS test
- Added EICAS messages to long EGPWS test
- Reworked STALL test
- Added blue “<CTR>” marker to centered leg on LEGS page if plan mode is active on on-side MFD
- Added switching SPEED REFS knobs between TGT and VSPDS activates edit mode
- Added OFP Viewer
- Added warning to EFB Navdata update that FMS will reboot after completion
- Fixed a WASM crash in the auto-sequencing function
- Fixed a bug which prevented proper clearing of approach waypoints when changing runway
- Fixed some more mouse cursors for legacy mode
- Added “Fit to window” button to terminal charts
- Fixed Cabin Secure announcement and delayed Welcome speech by 10 seconds
- Fixed missing SIDs in EDDK (and other airports which had recent runway ID changes) after updating navdata
- Fixed potential WASM crash in enroute charts function
- Moved EFB avatar selection to page
- Added Speed knob auto mode (selected speed changes in steps of 10 instead of 1 above 200 kts)
- Added off-flightplan waypoints to PLAN mode
- Fixed multiple WASM crashes
- Fixed cursors for knobs/knob-like switches in legacy interaction mode
- Changed spoiler lever to be draggable by mouse in lock and legacy interaction modes
- Fixed a bug in navdata update function
- Disabled fuel/defuel panel power switch cover auto-closing
- Added code for back wall roll and pitch indicators
- Changed cabin altitude threshold for seat belts in AUTO from 8000 to 10000ft (as per FCOM)
- Fixed APU LCV message remaining visible after APU shutdown
- Fixed pitch/roll disconnect sounds
- Fixed two bleed throughs on the overhead panel
- Fixed an issue with activating SEC FPLN
- Added support for TOGGLE THROTTLE REVERSE THRUST control
- Added support for HOLD THROTTLE REVERSE THRUST control
- Fixed an issue that would cause a crash on setting STAR/transition
- Fixed additional flightplan line following discontinuity or vector
- Fixed endless loop when selecting direct from DIR INTC HISTORY page
- Fixed flight plan sequencing if arrival procedures contain duplicate waypoints
- Fixed crash on pressing RDR TERR button
- Fixed MCDU +/- key order to “-” -> “+”
- Fixed Gear Disagree warning when used with hardware gear lever
- Fixed Engine Fire warning
- Fixed first part of EHRD/24 ARNE3B SID (sequencing error)
- Fixed VNAV descent path when a (VECT) leg is enroute
- Added UNABLE CRZ ALT message if TOD comes before TOC
- Changed text “Set Flightplan” to “Send to FMS” on EFB Flightplan page
- Fixed a bug in LNAV tracking
- Fixed aircraft starting descent on arming VNAV
- Fixed transponder #2 setting
- Fixed crash when setting Simbrief flightplan
- Change instrument cameras from pilot POV to close-up view
- Added Simbrief import to EFB
- Added arrowhead to overfly drawings on MFD map
- Added GSX door automation
- Added registrations to aircraft titles
- Fixed aircraft nose not going up until VR+10
- Fixed localvars for GPU, GAU and chocks
- Added stick pusher and stick shaker animations
- Fixed sound loops for overspeed and stall
- Added new EFB UI technology for better reactiveness
- Added weather radar to MFD
- Added spoiler lever temporarily hidden when in MCDU close-up camera (LCtrl+1)
- Added Navdata online update (Navigraph subscription required)
- Added Navigraph enroute charts integration (Navigraph subscription required)
- Added Navigraph terminal charts integration (Navigraph subscription required)
- Added EFB option to toggle knob acceleration (On, Off, Off/Optimized altitude selection)
- Fixed PFD Baro flashing after takeoff when no FMS flightplan is active
- Fixed airspeed tape jumping in windy conditions
- Fixed CONT IGN switch spring-loaded instead of on/off
- Added Captain’s announcement to remain seated if aircraft stops between runway and gate
- Added centerline light bump sounds
- Converted all displays from GDIplus to nanoVG text output
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is available for PC and Xbox Series X|S.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is also available for the same platforms following its recent release in November. If you want to see the massive visual difference against Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, you can enjoy our video and screenshot comparison.
A few weeks ago, we published an extensive interview with Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann about the present situation of the sim and the plans for the future.
Incidentally, recently, Microsoft shared an extensive update about its plans for the sim, so you may want to read it to integrate what is said in this interview.
You can also check out our in-depth analysis of how much data the simulator downloads from the cloud, clearing the air from some widespread misinformation that has made the rounds over the past few months.