Flight Simulation developers shared news today, including aircraft and scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, on top of the first look at the next X-Plane update.
Before we move on to the news, you can check out a story that received its own coverage.
Albatros D.III OAW for MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020 Gets Trailer Ahead of Release
FlightLevel24 revealed a trailer of its Albatros D.III OAW (the later version produced at Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke) from World War I.
According to the developer, the project is “nearly complete” and will be released on Simmarket and the official marketplace after the final tweaks are done.
It’s coming for both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and MSFS 2020 and the trailer is filmed in the latter.
Airbus A321 Released for Microsoft Flight Simulator
LatinVFR released its rendition of the Airbus A321 CEO. It’s currently available on the official Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 marketplace for $29.49.
It includes the following.
- Customized systems of the Airbus A321-200CEO, simulating its basic cockpit functionalities, with avionics systems made from scratch.
- Highly detailed external and interior model with high-definition textures.
- 4 Passenger Variants. The A321-200 CEO with CFM, IAE engines, CFM with sharklets, IAE with sharklets.
- 2 cargo Variants. A321P2F with CFM engines and IAE engines.
- Basic to mid customized avionics, with expanded functionalities:
- Lateral and Vertical autopilot realistic navigation.
- Ability to fly pilot selected holds, missed approaches, advanced route programming, flight management, full ILS Autoland capabilities among other customized features.
- Pending RNAV approaches for future update. GPS approaches can be flown.
- EFB (electronic flight bag) with weather, aircraft loading, simbrief, navigraph charts, GSE options.
- Navigraph charts implementation on EFB. Subscription required.
- Simbrief flight plan injection to CDU.
- Ground service equipment on demand via the EFB.
- Cabin interior, depicting the selected airline.
- Realistic sounds.
- Animated passengers.
- • Cargo version with cargo containers and GSE.
Western Sydney Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Gets New Screenshots
Drzewiecki Design revealed some early images of Western Sydney International Airport (YSWS), which is scheduled to be opened in the real world in late 2026.
Funnily, the developer has not yet confirmed the identity of the project, simply calling it a “secret project,” but it’s obvious to anyone who has seen images of the real thing. It’s not a very well-kept secret.
Newcastle Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator Gets New Screenshots
Impulse Simulations showcased its upcoming Newcastle Airport (YWLM) in Australia.
At the moment, no release window has been publicly shared.
X-Plane Gets First Look at 12.2.0 Update
Laminar Research released the first screenshot showing the lighting in the next major X-Plane update, which will be numbered 12.2.0 and is coming sometime in 2025.
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.