Third-party developers have provided development news and updates on upcoming products for Microsoft Flight Simulator, while a couple of aircraft have been released.
We started with IndiaFoxtEcho, which provided an update and screenshots of several of his aircraft in development, including the Panavia Tornado, the F-14 Tomcat in association with Heatblur Simulations, the TA-4J Skyhawk, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and an F-16A Fighting Falcon.
TWISTER
This project has suffered some delays as we decided to redo most of its wings and engine details. This took a long time, but we are happy to announce that we have finally completed the geometry of the external 3D model; we just need to finalize some of its textures.
We’ll start working on the cockpit and systems next week, hopefully aiming for an Alpha version sometime in May.
F-14 TOMCAT with HEATBLUR
We’re moving forward with the conversion of the F-14 to MSFS – the plane is flyable now, but we’re trying to squeeze as much detail out of it as we can. For this project, we will be providing a proper update together with Heatblur Simulations in the near future, so here are just a couple of screenshots (and before I write it in the comments, YES, technically the Jolly Rogers high visibility livery is not it’s historically correct for the updated F-14A, but it’s still the coolest livery ever, so we couldn’t help but have it, along with other ’70s liveries).
TA-4J SKYHAWK
Some delays for this project as well, but we’ve finished redoing the details we wanted to refactor: the model has more accurate nose geometry, extremely detailed landing gear, slats and speedbrakes, and other little things. Soon we will start redoing the cabin; the images, of course, are WIP.
We hope to have a flyable build sometime in the summer.
EUROFIGHTER TYPHOON
The commercial 3D models available for purchase did not meet our quality standard and were significantly inaccurate, while our P3D models were clearly inadequate by modern standards…so we decided to redo the models entirely.
We are happy to report that the main external surfaces are complete and we are finally happy with the shape and camber of the wing, which was quite difficult to replicate correctly, but we still need to improve several details.
On the bright side, most of the avionics/systems work we did for the P3D version seems to work fine with minor tweaks; this should significantly shorten development time.
F-16A
We had purchased different commercial meshes to start with, but frankly they were inadequate, with significant deviations from the main dimensions and curvatures. So we’ve decided to redo it too – the screenshot shows where we are right now.
Another extensive update has arrived by PMDG, which has just relaunched its Douglas DC-6 for Xbox on the official market. The plane was released a while back but the developer was forced to pull the Xbox version due to an incompatibility issue on the platform side which was fixed with the latest Sim update so the plane is back , priced at $59.99.
We hear from studio CEO Robert Randazzo about the work being done to bring the 737 line to Xbox and the release of livery packs on the platform, which will be paid for.
PMDG DC-6 for Microsoft Flight Simulator-XBox
For those who have been waiting for this product to return to the XBox, we are happy to announce that almost 18 months after the initial release attempt on the XBox, the PMDG DC-6 is BACK! Anyone who bought the DC-6 on XBox in November 2021 when it was initially released (and later removed) should already see it live on their MSFS on Xbox. (Those who accepted the refund offer back then will have to buy again, obviously.)If you are an Xbox user, you must purchase the plane through the Marketplace on Xbox to have access to the plane. If you have any questions about purchases made on Xbox vs. PC Marketplace, refer them to the Microsoft Flight Simulator forums.
PMDG 737 for Microsoft Flight Simulator – Xbox:
We finally managed to get both the 737-700 and 737-800 into the Xbox test environment successfully. We were having some issues with the 800, the details of which aren’t important except that they were taking some time, but now we’re testing both 737 models in the Xbox environment and expect to see DC-like results and consistency. -6 as the 737 is already a very stable platform for us.We’ll keep you posted on progress, but we won’t delay the Xbox release of those two planes any longer than necessary.
The 737-600 and 737-900 will be inserted into tests once these two titles are clear. We don’t want to overload our own ability to test things by having 4 products in the bin at the same time.
(Side note: for those waiting for the 737-800 in the PC market, that will come in line with the Xbox guide above!)
updated livery plan
We ran into some hurdles when it came to distributing liveries for XBox users. I’ll describe those knee strikes below, but the bottom line is that we’re making available a livery package for the DC-6 that includes all of our DC-6 liveries. It will be available for purchase on the Marketplace for $4.99. We will do the same for all of our subsequent products that are also released on Xbox.Warning: If you are not on Xbox, please do not purchase this bundle as you already have access to these liveries using the PMDG Operations Center.
Now for the knee bumps: Since we’re all just learning how the Marketplace works, we have a number of overlapping conflicts that we didn’t anticipate. Taken individually these are minor things, but taken together they put us in a position where the best solution is to simply bundle all the liveries for each product into one unit and make it available for sale to XBox users via the MS Marketplace. .
Our original plan had been to make liveries available through XBox-only livery “products” available on the Marketplace only for Xbox users at a price of $0.00. These were rejected because Marketplace currently does not accept free software and products with a $0.00 price tag are free software even though they are associated with a paid product. Also, we learned at the same time that the Marketplace can accept products that are “Only for PC”, but is not capable of accepting products that are “Only for Xbox”.
So our plan was hampered in a couple of ways.
We evaluate placing the liveries within the product itself, but this quickly becomes unsustainable due to excessive build sizes and the need to maintain product consistency across all of our distribution platforms. We know full well that PC users wouldn’t want us to push more than 500 liveries onto their machines once all the DC-6, 737, 747 and 777 product lines are released… So we quickly scrapped that idea.
The bottom line is: for each product, we will package all of our liveries into one package and make it available through the marketplace for $4.99. It’s there mostly for Xbox users, but of course if you feel like having the full package through the marketplace as a PC user you can certainly buy it, but it’s not NECESSARY as you already have access to all of them through from PMDG. Operations Center.
As we’ve said a few times: We’re still learning how to work better with the Marketplace, and this change to our livery policy is made to ensure that Xbox users can access the wide range of liveries without any issues or delays.
Next, we move on to launches, with the launch of Roland Laborie’s Airbus A400M military transport. Is available in Simmarket for $32.75 plus applicable VAT and comes with the following features.
- Complete MSFS model.
- Fully animated VC and exterior model.
- Indicators modeled in 3D – PFD – MFD – AP – Terrain monitoring – MCDU.
- Electricity. (AC DC)
- Hydraulics.
- Air-conditioning.
- Pneumatics
- HUD-autopilot-autothrottle.
- 15 high resolution liveries:
- France.
- Canada.
- Germany.
- Belgium.
- Spain.
- Luxembourg.
- Malaysia.
- Turkey.
- United Kingdom.
- USA.
- US coast guard
- USA DAY
- Atlas.
- Alaska American.
- Antarctica.
Last but not least, the Pilot Experience Sim released the Maule M-7-235 bush plane. It is available for both PC and Xbox on the official market of the simulation at a price of $25.99. If you prefer a third-party provider, it’s also available for PC only on iniBuilds store.
It comes with the following features:
- FPS optimized
- Accurate Handcrafted Custom HD Detailed Design
- HD PBR Texturing
- Accurate flight model Maule M7235
- Customized and precise lighting system.
- Tailored realistic sounds
- Lycoming IO540W motorization included
- Every moving part in real animation.
- Precise gear deformation
- Customized and precise fuel system
- Custom precise electrical system
- All buttons and working systems include switches
- Added Interactive Checklist
- Included Garmin 530 and Garmin 430
- Radio included KMA28
- Included Optional GTNX750/650 by TSD sim for owners
- Clipboard included with interactive features
- Payload stations included
- liveries included
- Included Variations of Tundra/Floaters
- Added documentation
Microsoft flight simulator It is currently available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, including Game Pass. If you want to learn more, you should keep an eye on TechRaptor as we do it every day. Microsoft flight simulator news to keep you up to date on the many addons coming and being released for the simulator. We also recently interviewed Microsoft’s Jorg Neumann about the Antonov An-225 “Mriya” and discussed Orbx’s Oslo Gardermoen Airport and RHDSimulations’ Boeing 767-300ER.