Boeing 787 by Vector for MSFS 2024 Showcases Engines as External Beta Testing Approaches
Vector Studio released another extensive development update about its upcoming Boeing 787.
Not only do we hear a lot of interesting details about the engines, which will include both the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and the GE-GENX-1B, but we hear that the 3D model and animations are getting their final polish, while the underlying systems are already in place and working.
The aircraft is still on track for a 2026 release and the external beta testing is set to begin “in the coming days.”
Here’s what we learned about the engines.
Valve by Valve. Line by Line.
The engine and fuel systems are one example of how we’ve built the VECTOR 787-9. The same depth extends across the aircraft’s other physical systems, including hydraulics, air system and electrical power, alongside the avionics and more, all modelled and coded from the ground up.
When we say schematic-level simulation, we mean it. We’ve coded the fuel system valve by valve and line by line, including electrical dependencies, pumps, sensors and control functions. That includes engine-driven pumps providing suction when the tank pumps aren’t running, fuel temperature and pressure sensing, engine fire detection and extinguishing, and much more.
These components work together during normal operation and failures large and small. A short EICAS message can be the visible result of a whole chain of events across interconnected systems (all actually happening within the simulation) . We’ve modelled that chain, so what you see in the cockpit reflects what’s physically happening underneath. Well, virtually physically.
Fuel consumption responds to engine operation and flight conditions within that same simulation. An airline dispatcher from a major carrier recently joined our team, bringing another operational perspective as we fine-tune fuel-burn profiles. After all, it’s all about fuel.
The systems, components and figures below offer a glimpse into what’s running behind our engine simulation. Each entry represents a component or function we’ve coded, with its own role and dependencies within the engine and fuel systems. These components respond to changing conditions, interact with one another and work (or don’t…), shaping everything from engine starts and thrust response to fuel consumption, failures and cockpit indications. It’s only a fraction of what’s already in place, but it helps put the scale of the work into perspective.
Vector 787-9 Engine Stats
Our Fuel System has these coded:
- 5 tanks (2 x Main, 1 x Ctr, 2 x Surge)
- 19 different fuel lines (incl. fuel Jettison)
- 9 different fuel pumps (6 x AC driven, 1 x DC driven, 2 x engine driven)
- 22 different fuel valves (11 x Fuel, 6 x Refuel, 1 x APU SOV, 2 x Scav ISO, 2 x Refuel Adapter)
- fuel temp, fuel press and fuel height sensors
- 1 x FUEL BALANCE SYSTEM
- 1 x FUEL SCAVENGE SYSTEM
- 1 x FUEL JETTISON SYSTEM
Specific Engine fuel related info:
- Suction: Engines can be running even without tank fuel pumps running as engine driven fuel pumps provide suction.
- Engine Fire and Overheat Detection implemented
- Engine Fire Extinguishing implemented
Main Engines Code
For both engines we have these items coded:
- EEC
- Main Engine Data Concentrator (data from sensors)
- MEDC
- Hydraulic Control Unit HCU
- Isolation Control Valve Assembly ICV
- Interlock Assembly Interlock Left
- Thrust Control Module TCM
- Servo Thrust Assembly
Each Engine then has the following:
- N1 Sensor Set
- N2 Sensor Set
- N3 Sensor Set
- EGT Sensor Set
- N1 Vibration Sensor Set
- N2 Vibration Sensor Set
- P2.0 Probe Inlet Air Pressure Sensor Set
- T2.0 Inlet Temperature Sensor Set
- HP Compressor Discharge Pressure Set
- H4 Static Port Sensor Set
- H8 Static Port Sensor Set
- Starter 1 / Starter 2
- Igniter (Exciter) 1 Igniter / (Exciter) 2
- Reverser Door 1 / Reverser Door 2 / Reverser Door 3 / Reverser Door 4
- Track Lock Assembly
- Reverser Door 1/2/3/4 Proximity Sensor Set
- Track Lock Proximity Sensor Set
- Engine Oil System
- Oil Quantity Sensor Set
- Oil Pressure Sensor Set
- Oil Temperature Sensor Set
- AGB Engine Accessory Gearbox
Within the EEC these functions are implemented:
- Overspeed Protection
- Thrust Ramping
- Thrust Control Malfunction
- Thrust Assembly Protection
- Transient Bleed System
- Idle Selection
- Minimum Idle
- Approach Idle
- Icing Idle
- Ice Crystal Anti Ice Function
- Autostart
- In-Flight Start Ignition
- Auto-Relight
- Fuel Control
- Oil Control
- Thrust Reverser
- Airborne Vibration Monitoring System
- Engine Failure Alert System
Engine Fire and Overheat Detection:
- Multiple Dual-Channel Detectors (Fire and Overheat Detection)
Engine Fire Extinguishing:
- Engine Fire Switches
- Engine Fire Lights
- Engine Fire Extinguisher Bottles
- Engine Fire Extinguisher Bottles Squibs
Engine Anti-ICE:
- AUTO and MANUAL mode
- OVHD switches, valves, press and temp sensors etc.
- EICAS and Maint Page display output
From the Aircraft to the Model
The same attention carries through to the visual model. As part of our development plan, we recently completed additional blade measurements and cross-checked references from different operators. There are differences between the Rolls-Royce and GE engines, and keeping those references specific to each engine type is an important part of the work.
The 3D model and code are being developed together as one engine simulation, built from the ground up. Geometry, moving parts, system behavior and visual effects all need to work together, connecting what you see outside with what the aircraft is doing and what you read in the cockpit. This spotlight is a small look into that process.
Atlanta Airport Released for X-Plane 12
Orbx released Atlanta Airport (KATL) in the United States for X-Plane 12, a conversion by Lee Miles of the excellent scenery by Matteo Veneziani for MSFS.
It’s available on Orbx Direct for $25.97 with the following features.
- Complete, up-to-date 2026 rendition of ATL airport
- Updated airport layout
- Expanded Terminal T expansion
- Highly detailed and optimized buildings, including the terminal, FBO interior, Hotel interior, and many more, using the LOD system
- Highly accurate mesh/terrain based on real-world elevation data
- Custom 3D taxiway lights, including various specific ground lighting
- Custom 3D taxiway signs
- Custom ground poly with advanced, highly detailed materials that simulate real-life dirt, cracks, and wear
- Custom GSE vehicles in the entire airport, including baggage carts, tugs, buses, and many more
- Custom animated jetways featuring Atlanta airport and airline brand logos using openSAM
- Dynamic lighting across the entire airport
- Surrounding vegetation of a 5-mile radius for ultra immersion on approach
- Surrounding areas modeled
- Custom 3D and animated grass courtesy of xCodr Designs
- Use of LST (Living Scenery Technology) using xCodr’s LST plugin
If you want to hear more about this release, you can check out our dedicated interview with Lee Miles.
Bombardier Global 6000 for MSFS 2024 Gets New Details, Screenshots, and Trailer
iniBuilds released new details for its Bombardier Global 6000 for MSFS 2024, alongside new visual assets.
Here’s what we learned directly from the developer.
Flight Deck & Avionics
The customised Vision Flight Deck puts flight planning, performance and navigation at your fingertips. Build and amend routes directly on the displays, load a flight plan from SimBrief or the in-sim EFB, and keep a secondary plan ready if the destination changes. Multi-leg trips are also supported, with DEST 2, 3 & 4 available so you can see your day’s workload from leg 1. The FMS also supports holds, lateral offsets, pilot-defined waypoints and winds pulled from the simulator along your route.
You can work through weight and balance, takeoff and landing performance on board. Departure calculations account for factors such as wet runways and obstacle clearance, and the calculated takeoff speeds feed through to the primary flight display. Once airborne, VNAV manages the vertical profile from climb to descent, with speed lookahead for upcoming restrictions and step-climb recommendations based on weight, altitude and temperature.
From Cruise to the Runway
On approach, the head-up display brings flight guidance and synthetic terrain into view, with a runway outline, approach lights and an extended centreline. Synthetic vision is also available on the primary flight display. The Global Jet includes a dedicated steep approach mode, complete with its own indications and landing speeds.
After touchdown, the airport moving map gives you a closer look at the runway layout, your position and the runway remaining. Further up the route, integrated weather radar is available on the flight displays, with auto tilt and vertical weather (VWX) shown on the Vertical Situation Display, so you can see how storm cells sit relative to your flight path. CPDLC support through Hoppie, SayIntentions and BeyondATC lets you handle supported communications from the flight deck.
Aircraft Systems & EFB
From the first electrical contactor closing to the cabin depressurising after landing, the aircraft’s systems respond to what you do in the cockpit. Electrical loads transfer as power sources change, hydraulic pressure governs which flight controls can move, and the air-conditioning packs shed load during engine start. The autothrottle and engine model use EPR-based thrust targets drawn from aircraft performance tables.
You can follow those changes on nine system synoptics and the EFB’s live systems page. The electronic checklist queues relevant procedures when caution and warning messages appear. The EFB also gives you access to payload planning, throttle calibration, failures and flight tools such as pause at top of descent and automatic step climbs.
And yes, there’s Jetcard integration!
Two Interactive Cabins
The Classic and Futuristic interiors are both fully walkable, with animated doors, seats and window shades. Use the flight attendant panel or cabin tablet to adjust individual reading lights, choose from nine mood-lighting colours or switch on the star constellation ceiling.
The cabin changes with the flight. Select Boarding and you’ll find refreshments and hot towels ready for your passengers. Switch to Rest & Relax and the lights dim, the shades close and blankets and a chess set appear. The lighting follows the aircraft’s cabin power, and you’ll see rain on the windows in both interiors.
Recorded from the Real Aircraft
Echo19 used more than ten microphones to capture the BR710 engines, including the distinctive growl as they spool up. Those recordings were integrated in Wwise alongside dedicated audio for the cockpit, cabin, ramp and tower flybys. You’ll hear a different perspective as you move outside while the APU is running, or settle into the cabin after start.
Some of our favourite details are the ones you hear before the aircraft moves. Electrical relays click as power comes online, cooling fans and air-conditioning packs change with the systems, and the hydraulics respond audibly as loads change. On the ground, a firm brake application can set things shifting and rattling in the cabin. Turn the volume up for the quieter moments as well as the flybys!
California Redwood Coast – Humboldt County Airport for MSFS “Almost Ready”
Fly2High announced that California Redwood Coast – Humboldt County Airport (KACV) in the United States, also known as Arcata–Eureka Airport, is “almost ready.”
You can take a look at a few screenshots above.
Balkans Map for DCS World Targeting Q1 2027 Early Access Release; Gets New Details and Screenshots
Eagle Dynamics and OnReTech showcased the upcoming Balkans Map for DCS World and provided new details.
The map covers the Balkan Peninsula and Italy’s Adriatic coast, set between 1991 and 2001. It’s designed to provide a setting for accurate combat sorties for both NATO and Yugoslav forces.
Specifically, the map covers an area of 1,200 by 1,000 kilometers, including Italy, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, alongside parts of Austria, Albania, Hungary, and Romania.
43 primary airbases have been modelled and are now in active testing, including Aviano Air Base in Italy, Split in Croatia, Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Batajnica in Serbia.
Early access is now targeting Q1 2027, and the developers are collaborating with partner developers to have dedicated campaigns ready at launch.
Combat Pilot Showcases Suspension Physics in New Video
The developers of Combat Pilot at Entropy.Aero released a new video showcasing the suspension model implemented for the landing gear in their simulator.
The simulator uses its proprietary physics engine, EntropyFM, to simulate realistic suspension response and enable realistic taxiing, takeoffs, and landings.
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.
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