Below, we move on to the news, you can check out a rather hilarious story that received its own individual coverage. Today, we also published the new episode of our weekly video recap, which you shouldn’t miss.
FlyByWire Updates Airbus A380 and Airbus A320neo for Microsoft Flight Simulator
FlyByWire updated the stable version of both its freeware Airbus A380 and Airbus A320neo to version 0.13.0.
Here are the highlights of the update for the A380.
- FCU Overhaul: Baro knob actions now mirror real-world operation—push for STD, pull for BARO—and the new metric altitude button simplifies transition between units. QNH and altitude values display accurately during light tests, and LS auto-selection on LOC mode offers smoother approach captures.
- Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) Enhancements: Cabin lighting controls have migrated into the EFB Quick Settings for intuitive access, while popup logic now requires telex consent to prevent inadvertent data transfer. Additionally, the door logic fix ensures panels remain secured in flight.
- Flight Management System (FMS) & AFCS: Layout fixes on PERF and T.O. pages improve readability, and differentiation of compatible approach vias streamlines planning. The newly added ATCCOM connect page and improved simulation-rate support ensure more robust autopilot and TCAS interactions.
- Visual & Structural Enhancements: Optimized 4K textures reduce memory overhead while adding crispness to the model. Cockpit ambient bounce lights and LOGO light functionality bring extra immersion. Wing flex adjustments provide natural tip-up bend during high-load maneuvers.
- Hydraulics, FADEC & Fuel Systems: pressurization failure messages now adhere to ECAM standards, and rudder trim functionality across SECs adds depth to control surfaces. Fuel recalibration and oil pressure table improvements result in more accurate engine behavior.
- Performance & UX Tweaks_ PFD and ND brightness knob behavior has been refined and cleaned up memory leaks. The V1 callout and T/D reached alerts bolster situational awareness during takeoff and descent.
The full patch notes can be found at the official site.
The highlights for the 320neo are as follows.
- Brake Simulation: New physics-based brake simulation for more realistic braking performance.
- Electrical System: Improved electrical system startup behavior and power management.
- FCU & RA Failures: Expanded failure modes for more in-depth training scenarios.
- FMGC & FCU Computer: Fully simulated navigation and control units building upon
- GPU Handling: Enhanced ground power management for a more immersive experience. Now has connection logic and failure checks.
- FMS Refinements: Numerous improvements to the Flight Management System, including better handling of flight plans, holds, and approach procedures.
- EFIS (PFD & ND): Performance and layout tweaks, including memory-leak fixes.
You can read the full patch notes on the official site.
PMDG Provides Status Update for Boeing 737s, 777s, and DC6 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
PMDG released a video in which CEO Robert Randazzo provided an update about its upcoming products following the recent delay.
We get a few additional snippets of information compared to the announcement made last week.
- The 777-200ER and 777F for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are still delayed on the official marketplace as the fix is being tested. Once it’s validated, deployment should be swift. The developer hopes to know if the fix works correctly by Friday.
- The 777-300ER is ready and tested besides the fix above, and will be released as soon as it’s validated and implemented.
- Contrary to what was mentioned in the previous announcement, the DC6 still did not overcome the LOD hurdles it’s suffering from in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. It won’t be released until these issues are solved, possibly with Sim Update 3, unless PMDG finds a fix earlier.
- The 737 family for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 (and the update for MSFS 2020) has been in the works since November, and PMDG hopes to launch it as soon as it can, albeit it’ll take “a little bit of time as work continues. The 737-800 will likely come first since it’s the most popular, and the rest will follow. It’ll include new features to bring it up to par with the 777s, on top of a couple of new ones that the 777s don’t have yet.
Schönhagen Airport for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Announced
Aviation Sim Design revealed the upcoming port of its Schönhagen Airport in Germany for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. We get to see a trailer and learn more about the features thanks to the listing already available on Orbx Direct.
Here’s what you can expect when it releases.
- Complete realization of the entire airfield area (EDAZ)
- Highly detailed models with high-resolution textures
- Many buildings and hangars with interior
- Very detailed ground layout based on drone images (2024)
- Faithfully adapted mesh in the entire area
- Very realistic night lighting
- Apron lights/beacon can be switched on via COM frequency (see Scenery information)
- Precise taxiway lighting, including adapted runway lighting
- Extensive dynamic animations (vehicles, characters, animals, flags, and much more)
- Many time- and weather-related changes at the airfield
- Animated hangar gates and light spots (hangar S) with approach triggers
- Many sound effects
- Static aircraft with changes (times of day)
- Very realistic Runway slope according to real documents
- VFR objects near the airfield
- User-defined models for taxiway signage
- Complex models incl. the level of detail
- Vegetation depends on the season
- The surrounding mesh is very detailed
- DE0694: Complete implementation of the entire heliport (DE694)
- DE0694: Complete realization of the railroad line incl. Groß-Kreutz station
- DE0694: Highly detailed ground layout based on drone images (2024)
- DE0694: Realistic night lighting
- DE0694: Extensive dynamic animations (trains, signals, railroad gates, passenger board information and much
- more)
- DE0694: Sound effects (station announcements, trains, railroad barrier)
- DE0694: Static helicopter with changes (times of day)
- DE0694: Surrounding objects in the vicinity of the heliport
- LUCKW: Implementation of the helipad at Luckenwalde Hospital
- LUCKW: Highly detailed ground layout based on drone images (2024)
- LUCKW: Realistic landing pad lighting
- LUCKW: Models with high-resolution textures
- LUCKW: Dynamic animations (jogger, windsock)
- LUCKW: Animated ambulance with approach triggers (500m)
- EDDB / Gate 22 (Heliport): Animated helicopter shuttle limousine
- EDDB / Gate 22 (Heliport): Animated sightseeing helicopter (D-HERZ) with original route over Berlin
- Middle of Berlin City (Potsdamer Platz): Animated world balloon (time-related changes)
McNary Field Salem-Willamette Valley Airport Released for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and MSFS 2020
Fsxcenery released McNary Field Salem-Willamette Valley Airport (KSLE) in the US, formerly known as Salem Municipal Airport, for both MSFS 2024 and MSFS 2020.
It’s available on Simmarket for $19.49.
Hamburg Airport for X-Plane 12 Gets New Screenshots
Aerosoft has released a bunch of new screenshots of the upcoming Hamburg Airport (EDDH) in Germany.
At the moment, we still don’t know when it’ll be released for X-Plane 12.
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.
