Third-party add-on developers are continuing to work around the clock to deliver new scenery and aircraft to Microsoft Flight Simulator users.
First of all, it’s always a joyous occasion when a new developer makes its first steps on the market, and this one hails from Japan. Metropolitan Airport Development Brothers (MADB for short) just released its first airport, and it’s Chofu (RJTF).
It can be purchased on Simmarket for about $18 including VAT.
While Chofu is mostly used for general aviation, it’s well known due to its position within Tokyo metropolitan area, also close to Yokohama.
The package doesn’t just include the airport, but also nearby landmarks like the well-known Ajinomoto Stadium, home of FC Tokyo.
Below you can check out a trailer, a few screenshots, and a features list.
- Over 30 buildings modeled in detail.
- Landmarks around the airport, including the stadium.
- Accurate taxi lines and markings.
- Static helicopter objects.
- Correct PAPI angles.
- Hangar lights at night.
- Add fences, cars, lighting, etc…
Next is a new look at Coventry Airport (EGBE) by MT Scenery Design, which appears to be quite detailed.
Moving on to aicraft, we take a look at the T-45C Goshawk by IndiaFoxtEcho, while we learn that the aircraft has a tentative release date on March 8. It’ll cost $29.99.
The developer also posted a rather honest summary of what we can expect.
“So…it is February 28th, where is the T-45C Goshawk?
Well, we believe the current build is good enough for release, but we are polishing it even more and adding a couple of features that were not intended for the initial release originally.
Also, we are working on a very detailed manual – we think you will need it as the simulation is quite detailed.
We do not like calling any of our flight simulation products “study level” – we believe that a true “study level” product should be almost 100% accurate and, more importantly, does not instigate or promote an incorrect operation of the real world aircraft… and the T-45 is definitely not a “study level” product in that sense. However, we feel that it is a quite detailed rendition of the aircraft and we hope it will be good enough for most users.
The biggest shortcomings, in our opinion, are the following:”
- HUD is not collimated and has problems with TAA
- Some functionalities of the HSI page are not completely implemented (for one, the PLAN mode only shows the next waypoint as opposed to the full flight plan planimetric view)
- The aircraft does not bleed energy as much as it should during tight turns (although this is a more general problem of MSFS)
- Some BIT test sequences are incorrect or missing
- DEP can only be used to set CRS, HDG, LAW and BINGO.
“These are by no means the only shortcomings of this product, but we are confident that pretty much everything else is negligible.”
Last, but not least, a tease from Military Visualizations. Apparently, it’s coming “really soon.”
Recently, we published our massive interview with head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann, who provided a lot of new info about the present and future of the sim.
If you’d like to read more about Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons, you can enjoy our recent reviews of Bonaire Flamingo Airport, Milano Linate Airport, the Singapore City Pack, Tokyo Narita Airport, Yao Airport, the F-15 Eagle, the Paris City Pack, Greater Moncton Airport, Tweed New Haven Airport, Santorini Airport, Sydney Airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Reggio Calabria Airport, Bastia Poretta Airport, Munich Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Newcastle International Airport, Sankt Johann Airfield, Dublin International Airport, and Seoul City Wow. We also have a beta preview of Singapore Changi airport.
If you want to learn more about the game itself, you can read our review that will tell you everything you need to know about Asobo Studio’s game.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is already available for Windows 10 and Steam and will release in summer 2021 for Xbox Series X ad Series S.
