Flight Simulation developers shared news today, including plenty of reveals about aircraft and airports for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and MSFS 2020.
On top of that, we also have a relevant airport released for X-Plane.
You can find all the flight simulation news below
PMDG Prepares to Launch First Boeing 777-200ER Update, While 777 Freighter and -300ER Are Entering Beta for MSFS 2024
PMDG announced that the first update for the Boeing 777-200ER should release tomorrow. It’ll include the following.
- Replaced incorrect safety briefing card in cabin
- updates to exterior lighting material for brighter nav/strobe lights, particularly in daylight.
- Adjusted LOD bounding for airstair
- Adjusted strobe reflection sphere
- Adjusted wing decal
- Adjusted RR spinner graphics
- GE engine normal map anomaly fixed
- Fixed visor draw order anomaly when at Flightbeam KSFO
- various model texture issues
- Fixes to window opening
- Fixes to clipping objects and other various model cleanups
- Camera view fixes
- corrected malformed optimizations that melted pitots/probes
- cabin window glass material adjustments
- removed errant High Quality flags from textures in MSFS24
- Improved edge shadowing around certain exterior panels
- 15447: Missing speed brake sound (is there, turned up the volume a little bit)
- 15449: Missing Cargo door sound (sounds are available, turned up the volume a little bit
- 15451: Missing external sounds (turned up the volume for the packs and made some adjustments to the APU spread)
- 15466: Autopilot/ELMS recongfiguration servo/breaker sounds before “LAND3/LAND2” have been added
- 15477: No seat belt/no smoking sound heard in the cabin turned up the volume for this
- 15506: Ground Roll sounds (adjustments have been made to groundroll/rattles/bumps)
- Adjusted the evac sound to be noticeable in the cabin as well.
- Flaps/slats have been fixed and replaced.
- AT Servo volume adjusted.
- Cargo door volumes adjusted to be a bit more noticeable inside
- AP sound location adjusted to cockpit only
CEO Robert Randazzo acknowledged an “incredibly rare” WASM crash issue with the aircraft, which is currently being investigated.
We also hear that the 777 Freighter for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is now being beta tested, while the popular -300ER variant is planned to enter beta this weekend.
The hope is to release the freighter next week and the 777-300ER the following week.
The -200LR should enter beta test around the time of the release of the -300ER. The DC6 for MSFS 2024 is “not quite ready” for beta but it’s inching closer, pending a few fixes coming with Sim Update 2.
Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk for MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020 Gets Development Update
Indiafoxtecho provided a few screenshots and a development update for the TA-4J Skyhawk jet trainer, following a reshuffle of the project team. Here’s what the developer shared:
“The revised 3D external model is complete (except the accessories and loadouts) and has been remapped for better texture resolution and more rational layout
First pass new external textures are complete…and look much better than our previous artwork (which was derivative of the P3D version)
The cockpit model is almost complete, but requires some minor tweaks and there are some missing details
…and then most of the system modeling will be reused from P3D, and we also need to create a new flight model for MSFS2020 / 2024.
We do not have a release date – and at the moment we are not able to provide a realistic estimate as the delays of the TA-4, F-16 and Eurofighter project are creating some significant overlap in our schedule.
And, for those who asked it in the past – YES, we’d like to do the single seater too sometime in future… but given our current workload we are focusing on the twin seater first.”
Piper PA-28 Arrow and Turbo Arrow Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Release “Imminent”
Just Flight announced that the release for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 of its Piper PA-28 Arrow and Turbo Arrow is “imminent.”
It’ll come with a “pretty extensive update” for previous owners of the aircraft. In the meantime, we get a spiffy gallery of screenshots that you can see above.
Eugenio María de Hostos Airport Gets New Screenshots and Details for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and MSFS 2024
Photorico showcased a new gallery of screenshots and details of its upcoming Eugenio María de Hostos Airport (TJMZ) serving Mayagüez in Puerto Rico.
Shared via the listing on Orbx Direct, we learn that the airport includes the following:
- Detailed modeling of the passenger terminal
- Cape Air ticketing area included
- Recently remodeled kiosks (currently vacant)
- Old Police (FURA) hangar modeled
- Fire Department building included
- Two General Aviation (GA) hangars included
- Deteriorated, non-operational control tower modeled
- Static aircraft based on real aircraft at the airport
- Developed for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 (MSFS2020)
- Successfully tested and compatible with MSFS2024
Hannover Airport for MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020 Gets a Release Date and Details
SoFly announced the release date for its Hannover Airport (EDDV) in Germany. it’s coming on May 15 for both MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020.
We also get new screenshots (above) and a list of features:
- Interactive Scenery Technology – Terminal doors open as you approach, with working elevators and escalators bringing the terminal to life.
- Dynamic Airport Environment – Snow piles up in winter, and snow ploughs respond realistically to changing conditions.
- Moving Ground Transport – Watch the underground metro arrive at the station and buses navigate the airport, stopping and opening doors on schedule.
- Interior Modelling with Animated People – Detailed terminal interiors filled with animated staff, passengers, and active airport operations.
- Immersive Audio Everywhere – Rich soundscapes throughout the airport, including terminal ambience, ATC chatter, restaurant clatter, and even restrooms.
- High-Resolution Texturing and Modelling – Crisp, true-to-life textures across terminals, aprons, signage, and terrain for maximum realism.
- Complete Airport Coverage – Includes detailed modelling of cargo areas, hotels, car parks, outer buildings, and surrounding infrastructure.
- Animated Terminal Life – Discover dynamic crowds and active airport scenes throughout check-in areas, lounges, and boarding gates.
- Built for Immersion and Performance – Highly detailed yet performance-optimised to suit a wide range of systems without compromise.
- GSX Profile Included – Fully integrated GSX profile for custom ground handling, pushbacks, and passenger services.
London Gatwick Airport for MSFS 2024 Gets New Trailer
iniBuilds released a trailer for its upcoming London Gatwick Airport (EGKK) in the UK.
At the moment, a release date has not been announced and the airport is still “coming soon.”
Hamburg Airport Released for X-Plane 12
JustSim released a rendition of Hamburg Airport (EDDH) in Germany for X-Plane 12. It’s available on Simmarket for $22.80.
It includes the following features, and if you have the previous version for X-Plane 11, you can get the upgrade for $11.75
- Compatible with all X-Plane 12 features:
- – weather effects
- – PBR materials
- – new lights
- – 3D vegetation
- Detailed airport objects and vehicles
- Custom textured taxiways, runways and apron
- Custom surroundings
- Custom airport lights
- Shading and occlusion (texture baking) effects on terminal and other airport buildings
- High resolution ground textures / Custom runway textures
- High resolution building textures
- Excellent night effects
- Realistic reflections
- World Traffic 3 compatible
- Optimized for excellent performance
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.