Flight Simulation developers shared news today, including aircraft and airports for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and MSFS 2020.
Without further ado, I leave you with the flight simulation news.
Airbus A300-B4 for Microsoft Flight Simulator Gets New Screenshot and Dev Update
Just Flight released new screenshots and a development update about its vintage Airbus A300-B4, mostly focusing on lighting. Apparently, we’re getting close to the beginning of beta testing and the developer promised more regular updates.
“An important part of any aircraft project, and something that we spend a lot of time getting right, is the lighting. In combination with the modelling, textures and sounds, achieving realistic lighting is essential to creating a highly immersive experience. We always strive to not just develop aircraft that behave like the real thing in terms of systems and handling characteristics, but ‘feel’ as much like the real thing as possible.
We begin by finding as much reference material as possible – photos, videos, FCOMs etc, not always an easy task for these classic aircraft, often involving the assistance of real world flight and ground crew, and research trips to visit a real aircraft. With all of that to hand, we can start work on the cockpit, cabin and exterior lighting.
In addition to understanding and simulating the quirks and complexities of the lighting system logic – the electrical power sources, dimmable controls and failure logic etc – many hours are spent on perfecting the visual qualities of the lighting, from intensities, to beam angles, and colour. A time consuming task when there are 20 individual fluorescent tubes and lamps in the cockpit alone!
A variety of different lighting is found in each aircraft, with each type and era having its own distinctive style. In contrast to the cool LEDs found in modern airliners, the A300B4 flight deck features the warm white glow of 1970’s fluorescent tubes and backlit panels, with subtle reflections from worn surfaces such as the thrust levers, centre pedestal and Flight Engineer’s pull-out table.
Somewhat unusually for a classic airliner, but in typical Airbus fashion, the lighting and associated controls are logically designed. Just one example of design choices found in the A300 that carry right through to modern Airbus aircraft.
That said, you will find some quirks that are specific to the A300B4, including dedicated ‘towing/park’ exterior navigation lights for ground operations, forward and rear facing wing navigation and strobe lights, and separate wing and engine lights, which operate independently depending on the passenger door status. So there is still plenty to learn and keep you busy!”
Got Friends Reveals “Gravity Reactive Motion” Tech Coming with Taylorcraft BC-12D for MSFS
Got Friends revealed an impressive technology they developed for the upcoming Taylorcraft BC-12D for MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020
Here is how they described it on their Discord server.
“Small components like door tabs, handles, and fuel now react naturally to gravity, impacts, and door movement in real time. Everything is driven procedurally by the aircraft’s physics including G-forces, bank, pitch, airspeed, propwash, slip, and more.
These are small visual details, but this new system add a whole new level of life and realism to the Taylorcraft!”
Cessna Caravan Professional for MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020 by Black Square Gets New Videos
Black Square released two new videos about its upcoming Cessna Caravan for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and MSFS 2020, which will be released on Tuesday, March 17.
Specifically, we get to see an overview of the systems and one of the available airframes and sounds. You can watch them above.
Dornier Do 27 Released for MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024
Aviacion Española released a rendition of the famous Dornier Do 27 STOL utility aircraft. It’s available on Simmarket for $21.13. Keep in mind that it’s native for MSFS 2020 and compatible with MSFS 2024.
It includes the following features.
- Four complete variants
- Do 27 A‑5 Standard (remote operations and extreme STOL performance)
- Do 27 A‑5 Bush
- Do 27 A‑5 Floatplane (hydro)
- Do 27 A‑5 Skis (snow operations)
- High‑fidelity 3D model with detailed exterior and interior, PBR materials, and full animations. from the smallest cockpit instruments to doors, windows, and exterior elements, bringing the Do 27 to life in every interaction.
- Fully functional cockpit with operational instrumentation and behavior faithful to the real aircraft.
- Realistic systems, designed to reflect the mechanical and operational character of the Do 27, including procedures, engine behavior, and aircraft management in demanding conditions.
- Authentic STOL flight dynamics, tuned for ultra‑short takeoff and landing performance based on real‑world data.
- 26 historical liveries, including civilian and military schemes from multiple countries and service periods featuring the iconic D‑ENTE among them, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland.
- Custom sound set, capturing the mechanical personality and distinctive tone of the Do 27.
- Pilot’s Manual included, allowing you to configure the aircraft both internally and externally.
- MSFS 2024 compatibility, fully functional, with some exclusive 2024 features pending future implementation.
- Included documentation, featuring a basic operation guide.
Liverpool John Lennon Airport for MSFS 2024 Gets New Screenshots
iniBuilds released new screenshots of Liverpool John Lennon Airport (EGPP) for MSFS 2024
Development has been progressing “steadily” behind the scenes, and it should release “in the coming weeks.”
If you’d like to read more flight simulation news, you can find plenty in our previous roundup article from yesterday.
If you want to go further back, we have a handy overview video of the major flight simulation news in the past week. You can watch it below. As usual, leaving a like and a comment and subscribing to our growing YouTube channel is extremely helpful.
