Flight Simulation developers shared news today, including aircraft and scenery for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, and X-Plane.
Yet, before we move on to the news, you can check out two stories that got individual coverage.
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 & 2020 World Update 19: Brazil & More Releasing Next Week
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Sim Update 1 Released With Tons of Fixes but No Official Marketplace
Fokker F70 and F100 for MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020 Gets New Screenshots and Development Update
Just Flight came up with a new development update on the Fokker F100 and F70 package, including new screenshots.
“Since our last update, the team has been busy implementing the rest of the basic aircraft systems such as the lift dumpers, airbrake, and the external and cockpit lighting, including new artwork for the F100’s LCD display backlights. These might be only small details but they certainly make a big difference to the overall feel.
Most recently, much of our time has been spent on the more complex systems of the F100, related to the electronic flight information system (EFIS). A major milestone is the inclusion of the Flight Warning System (FWS). This monitors aircraft systems for both normal and abnormal situations and displays various levels of memos, alerts, status messages, and procedures on the centre screens known as MFDUs.
We’ve also started in-depth testing of the F100’s equally complex and very capable autopilot (AFCAS) and FMS. Testing this is a time-consuming process because many different scenarios need to be tested to ensure everything is working across all areas of the flight envelope. There’s nothing more unsatisfying than when the aircraft nose-dives into the ground at the end of a 2-hour flight. Ask us how we know!
With all of these systems coming together, we have now entered a period of intensive testing and bug fixing, with our expert team of F100 pilots and engineers now involved. The nature of a modern aircraft such as the F70/F100 means that testing will continue for a while yet, as a seemingly endless number of combinations of situations and scenarios need to be covered.
As the systems on the F100 mature, we will soon be turning our attention to the F70. This will require some changes to the cockpit panels and tweaks to the flight models to account for the shorter aircraft’s lower weights, different geometry, and slightly different engine performance.
Finally, coming up in the next month will be the integration of the sounds from Sim Acoustics. The whole team cannot wait to get our hands on this, and we’ll be keen to share videos with you once everything is in place. You can read Mike’s experience recording those sounds from the real aircraft in one of our previous in-development updates.”
Cessna Citation Sovereign+ for Microsoft Flight Simulator and MSFS 2024 Gets New Screenshots
Skyward Simulations is continuing to share fetching screenshots of its upcoming Cessna Citation 680 Sovereign+ on its Discord Server.
This time around we get to see the exterior in flight.
Lancaster for Microsoft Flight Simulator Gets New Screenshots
Aeroplane Heaven shared new screenshots of its upcoming Lancaster, showing the spotlights and the dambuster bomb under the belly.
San Francisco Airport Gets Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Update
Flightbeam Studios released the updated MSFS native version of San Francisco Airport (KSFO) in the US. It’s available on the developer’s own store and Contrail for $13.65.
It includes the following features.
- NEW! Native MSFS 2024 Compatibility, with numerous new enhancements and features
- Numerous objects scanned ON-SITE, from multiple surveys at the actual airport
- The ONLY accurate, and latest updated KSFO which includes the very recent 2024 taxiway updates
- Extensive, highly detailed and realistic 4096×4096 textures
- Detailed Flightbeam Gen-5 dynamic jetways
- Multi-layered, realistic digitally hand-painted textures with PBR and custom decals
- Custom Taxilights, with proper runway entry/exit color lighting and visual effects
- VDGS systems at various gates (A, B, E and G Gates)
- Detailed Interior modeling
- Animated inset and elevated runway guard lights
- Dense amount of custom tarmac objects, modeled after actual objects from airport
- State-of-the-art optimization techniques, bringing you absolute best possible performance
- Custom coastline rocks photogrammetry, captured at the actual airport
- SFO Airtrain animation
- Custom tailored GSX profile available for download from our support site
- Custom fauna and flora in various parts of airport
Another Nuuk Airport Released for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and 2020
MM Simulations released its rendition of Nuuk Airport (BGGH) for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and 2020, and it’s available on Orbx Direct and Simmarket starting at $19.49.
It includes the following features.
- Handcrafted Terrain Elevation
- Updated Satellite Imagery
- Full ILS & Navaid Integration
- New Runway & Lighting System
- Detailed 3D Terminal Interior & Exterior
- Animated Objects
- High-Quality 3D Vehicles & People Models
- Custom Surroundings & Night Lighting
- Accurate Ground Layout & Markings
- Realistic ATC Tower Lighting
- Real-World Matching Elevation Model
Third Nuuk Airport Released for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and 2020
FSDG also released its own rendition of Nuuk Airport (BGGH) for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and 2020. It’s available on the developer’s own store and Simmarket for around $20.
It includes the following features:
- Fully accurate & extremely detailed rendition of Nuuk international Airport, Greenland (BGGH)
- New ground layout with new 2,200m runway
- New 2 level terminal included with full interior modeling
- Includes full coverage of Nuuk city with custom buildings, landmarks, ships,…
- Ultra-realistic light environment and interior modeling
- Animated objects
- Realistic snow coverage in winter
- MSFS technologies (dynamic lighting, reflective textures and more)
- Compatible with all known add-ons
Yes. I know it sounds crazy, but alongside the rendition by FSimStudios, we got three versions of Nuuk in a week. Crazy times indeed.
Vessels The Greek Islands Released for MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020
Seafront Simulations released Greek Islands, a brand new add-on of the developer’s Vessels series. It’s available on Orbx Direct for $18.48 including the following.
- Includes High-Quality PBR Models
- Includes over 10,000 vessels
- Includes Smoke and Wake VFX
- Includes Night and Navigation Lighting
- Includes Water/Terrain/Vegetation Fixes
Brisbane International Airport V2 Revealed for X-Plane 12
Orbx revealed an X-Plane 12 version of its Brisbane Airport v2 to go with the Microsoft Flight Simulator version.
It will include the following features:
- Updated airport layout as of June 2024
- New updated High-resolution Orthophoto with June 2024 Satellite Imagery
- New Terminal Buildings and Control Tower Models with interiors
- Fully reworked all airport landsides and surrounding areas with extra detail and new custom buildings
- New custom tunnel under taxiways Y and Z
- New roads and elevated highways with default traffic
- Improved 3d animated vegetation
- New high detailed Ground Poly on all areas
- Updated and improved custom mesh
- Added overwater approach lighting system at RWY19R
- SAM jetways compatible
- Animated Monorail
- Updated Dynamic Lighting
Chicago Midway International Airport Released for X-Plane 12
Drzewiecki Design released the X-Plane 12 version of its Chicago Midway Airport (KMDW). It’s available on Orbx Direct and Simmarket for around $23.
Here’s a list of features.
- A high-quality model of KMDW Chicago Midway International Airport, featuring the up-to-date version with extensive details
- FPS-friendly design, with epic night textures, dynamic lighting, and PBR materials
- Performance-friendly interior modeling at terminal buildings, control towers, and some hangars, static aircraft, advanced night lighting
- Animated jetways, VGDS, marshallers (SAM plugin)
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.
