Yet, before we move on, here are a couple of links to news that got its own individual coverage.
Without further ado, I leave you with the news.
PMDG Delays 737 MAX for Microsoft Flight Simulator, Provides Update on 747 and a Couple of Teases
Acclaimed developer PMDG provided an update about its upcoming and existing aircraft. According to the post by CEO Robert Randazzo, the developer believes that its aircraft will need to be updated to be used with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and this will be the priority as soon as they receive the SDK.
The developer will also make a cost assessment on the implementation of features like walkaround and career mode, and evaluate changes on a case-by-case basis, albeit they believe it’s possible in most cases. They have not seen the platform yet and they cannot make official announcements on this just yet.
The Boeing 777-200LR is expected to release before the end of the year, but this prediction doesn’t take in consideration possible slowdowns due to MSFS 2024. More information about the 777-200ER will come at a later time.
The Boeiong 737 MAX will be delayed as work on it conflicts with work on the enterprise division of the company. Randazzo mentions that success on that side would help with the “big X factor” which is an aircraft that should come after the 747. The popular interpretation for this tease is a Boeing 777X, but nothing has been confirmed.
We also get an update on the 747 itself, which you can read in its entirety.
This project has been underway since January and is coming along just beautifully. With each product we have released for MSFS, we have found new ways to embrace even high levels of detail and quality and the 747 is going to continue that upward trend. We *might* see a first software build of this iconic airplane (and long-time-PMDG-Flagship!) before MSFS24 releases and that will be a huge milestone for us to then begin animating the flight deck, working through the software logic and getting her ready for internal testing.
This is the first project we have built with fully customized 3D scanning from inside and outside of the aircraft, along with high detail images taken of all of the aircraft’s exterior surfaces using drone technology. This is leading to incredibly well sculpted models that accurately capture even the really hard-to-model spots where compound curves can look different from all angles.
You can see how the detail scanning techniques capture the area around the exterior of the cockpit windows, and how we are even modeling the framework of the aircraft in order to ensure accuracy of the shape and in anticipation of some of the new gameplay features of MSFS24:
We do not currently have a projected release date for the 747, as it will be heavily impacted by how smoothly (or not) the transition to MSFS progresses. We will keep you posted as to progress, and we will be bringing you more in-development updates on this project than we traditionally have in the past, as those seem to be pretty popular with you all.
Lastly, Randazzo teased another project with a look at a “blurry” gauge. At the moment, the most probable interpretation is a classic 747-100. Again, this is just educated speculation.
iFly Drops NDA on Boeing 737 MAX For Microsoft Flight Simulator and Many Videos and Screenshots Surface
iFly has removed the NDA for beta testers of its Boeing 737 MAX8, which means that the floodgates have been opened for videos and screenshots. Above you can check out the first flight operated by YouTube user XP72.
Many more videos can be found on YouTube and a channel for screenshots has been opened on Flight 1 Software’s Discord server. The image at the top of this post was shared by user Scotsgod.
Bombardier Challenger 350 For Microsoft Flight Simulator Gets New Screenshots
FlightFX Shared a small gallery of new screenshots of the upcoming Bombardier Challenger 350, showing the flight deck.
We also hear that the next reveal will be about the cabin.
Blackbird Simulations Reveals Small Featurette on How they Do Research for Their Aircraft
Blackbird Simulations has shared a brief but interesting video showing how they gather visual details about possible future projects.
A B-24 Liberator is featured prominently, but there’s a notice in the video mentioning that there’s no guarantee that the aircraft showcased will actually be made. We’ll have to wait and see.
Reflected Simulations Showcases Artic Thunder F-16 Campaign for DCS World
Reflected Simulations has provided an extended video showing the features of the F-16 part of the upcoming Arctic Thunder campaign for DCS World set on the new-ish Kola Map.
It’s worth mentioning that Baltic Dragon is working on another side of the campaign, focusing on the Finnish Air Force F/A-18 Hornet.
London City Airport V2 Released for P3D
Orbx has released version 2 of its London City Airport (EGLC) for P3D v5 and v6. It’s priced at $19.67 on Orbx Direct, including the following features.
- An exquisite representation of London City Airport and its surrounds
- Crisp aerial imagery for the airport
- Highly detailed model of the remote digital control tower
- Updated with the east apron and taxiway extension
- Rebuilt ATC tower
- Improved main terminal, Private Jet Centre, and Docklands campus
- Designed to blend best with TrueEarth Great Britain South and OpenLC Europe (optional)
Melbourne International Airport V4 Released for P3D
Orbx also released a new version (version 4) of its Melbourne International Airport (YMML). It’s available on Orbx Direct for P3D v5 and V6 and it’s priced at $19.67.
It comes with the following features:
- High resolution 10cm/px photoreal with winter/summer season colors
- 2024 Airport Layout
- 3 Hangars opened with interiors
- SODE VGDS and Jetways
- Fully optimized airport with the Control panel to disable features
- Animated terminal park4 LCD screens
- Includes legacy photoreal of YMMLv3 for extended coverage with on/off option
- High-density 3D grass controlled by Autogen
- ATC interiors
- +4.5k cars placed at landside parking
- +1.3K GSE placed around the airport
- Night Dynamic lighting
- Custom airport runway, ALS, and taxiway lighting
Widows Peak Released for Microsoft Flight Simulator
Parallel 42 released Widows Peak, another of its scenic add-ons dedicated to bush pilots. It’s available on Orbx Direct for $11.55 with the following features.
- Runways: 2x grass, not maintained
- Helipads: 1x grass (nearby)
- Permitted Aircraft: STOL and helicopters are suggested.
- Approach Considerations: The strip is very dangerous; please note wind direction by doing an inspection pass to check the temporary windsock.
- Approach Cautions: Landing from the East? Caution terrain and cliff. Landing from the North, South, or West, caution winds at the cliff edge.
- Runway Lighting: No
- Helipad Lighting: No
- Windsock: Yes. Temporary
- Parking: Very Limited
- Amenities: Hiking trail to nearby cabin, dedicated camping areas, fishing, swimming, and boating.
- Services: None
- Custom sounds at Pine Knoll Cabin retreat.
- Includes bonus landing area nearby (1mi Southeast), go explore!
- All objects on or near the runway contain collision boxes.
- Terrain enhanced with our “TrailBlazer” tech.
- Custom 3D library of on-ground assets.
- Custom Vegetation assets.
- Perfect pairing with //42 Campout Utility & Juice Goose
- A scenic valley area surrounded by rolling hills, rivers, sandbars & mountains.
- Can you find the bear?
Detroit and Windows City Landmarks Released for Microsoft Flight Simulator
Dfflyer Direct released a landmark package dedicated to the cities of Detroit and Windsor, respectively in the US and Canada. It’s available on Simmarket for $8.81 with the following perks.
- 200+ handcrafted city buildings
- 15 highly detailed monuments including the famous Spirit of Detroit
- 3 highly detailed stadiums with animated night lighting – Comerica Park, Little Caesar’s Arena, and Ford Field
- 25+ blocks of custom street and sidewalk textures to remove baked shadows from satellite data
- Animations that bring the city to life…
- “The People Mover” transit system with three real world train variants
- Lights (based on real world sequences) on Little Caesar’s Arena, Ford Field, Comerica Park, the RenCen, the historic Penobscot Building and more
- American and Canadian flags
- 16 marinas with custom boats and photogrammetry and water cleanup
- Gordie Howe international bridge and MacArthur Bridge (to Belle Isle) with photogrammetry and water cleanup
- High quality PBR textures
- Performance optimized with multiple LODs for maximum details and frame rates – tested on a wide range of systems, VR and non VR, with no reported frame rate impact
If you’d like to get into flight simulation but you’re perhaps a bit intimidated by its apparent complexity, you can read our introductory guide, alongside the second episode focusing on installing add-ons, and another showcasing the basic instruments.
You can also read more flight simulation news in the previous roundup article.
