Today third-party developers released new screenshots about add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, on top of new information
We start with the McDonnell Douglas KC-10 Extender/DC-10 by Aero Dynamics. The aircraft, which is going to be freeware, received a sizable development update and several screenshots.
Model:
Since the last info drop, our exterior has gone through a COMPLETE overhaul. Many parts of the aircraft were completely tossed out and completely redone with more accurate representation. Big changes include redone forward sections, wing roots, and added detail. With the new model, we also added the ability to open maintenance sections of the aircraft. Some of these areas include engine cowlings, and lowering of the tail to access the #2 engine for maintenance / replacement. We plan on continuing to add interesting areas of the jet for all types of enthusiasts to enjoy!Interior Model:
Sorry, nothing super big on this drop for the interior. We have made progress increasing detail and increasing performance for the cockpit itself, but as for the model and textures, they are currently on hold. We are currently in the process of getting a fully accurate 3d scan of one of our KC-10s on the flight-line. This will ensure cockpit accuracy of .4mm to the real jet! Due to certain world events, coordinating this process is on the back-burner. In this downtime however, continued work on other parts of the aircraft are still in progress.We have also come to the decision of making a full interior of the jet. This will include the ability to walk all through all 3 of our interior types of the aircraft will high-detail to get the full experience of operation a DC-10 type aircraft!
Learning Tools:
KC-10: Since last drop, the main focus was content in the KC-10 Flight Manual (-1) which is now over 300 pages in length. Diagrams are beginning to be added as the interior / exterior modeling is completed, and is coming along nicely. With our new model, diagrams can be added with much more detail than what we were able to achieve before. As well as in-document hyperlinks, the bookmark system is really starting to take shape for ease of navigating the book. Each section has its own table of contents bookmarked to allow the end user to find information in as little as 3 clicks as opposed to other content developers that use the “death by scrolling” technique. Finally, the framework for the normal, non-normal and emergency procedures checklist sections has began, and here’s a picture of the red hash border to be used in the emergency procedures section.DC-10: The DC-10 FCOM was born! For the most part, the FCOM will mirror the Flight Manual (-1) as the DC-10 and KC-10 have ~80% similarity, but specifics for the DC-10-PAX and DC-10-F will be included instead of KC-10 specifics. Originally designed for the DC-10 but now stretching to the entire product line are release bulletins. Release bulletins have their own section in the FCOM / Flight Manual (-1) and are used to identify the changes with each new update of the aircraft that is released to have a comprehensive changelog to be imbedded in the source documents, not just our discord page.
Displays & Systems:
Displays: As previously mentioned, the interior is being redone via a 3d scan for high fidelity simulation. That being said, there has been some new developments on screens. There is now the option to split the EADI to a EADI/HSI mode. There has also been work done on displays to show the current fuel on each tank, and is now complete.Systems: Since the UI of the displays is near complete, it is now time to focus on the systems programming of the aircraft. This is the most complicated part of the aircraft to work on as a programmer, but also one of the most exciting and interesting. The main focus right now is simulating the electrical system of the aircraft. The goal is to simulate the systems to near mapping to the real jet. There are many references and now it is just learning the tooling and implementing it. For systems programming, a coding strategy needs to be developed so that it becomes easier to add new features. We are taking inspiration from Fly By Wire’s code design and utilizing some of their strategies to create our aircraft systems. Current progress on the systems is great so far. The coders have learned Rust for use in systems programming and experimented with Rust and Simconnect and are currently working on creating the aforementioned coding system for our project. While nothing flashy, it is a huge step in the development cycle.
DC-10: With the near completion of the exterior model of the KC-10, we’ve started dabbling with where different liveries of the DC-10. By next drop, we’d expect to be close to complete with the DC-10-30F exterior. This includes detailing the cargo bay, tossing the AR equipment, and adding a couple new external vents the KC does not have. For the cockpit of the jet, we will have multiple cockpit selections. The user will be able to select whether they want the newer KC-10 avionics, or the classic DC-10 avionics. There will be slight variations available to choose from with either option!
When it comes to what liveries will be available on release, we plan on around several 30F liveries, and around a dozen 30 liveries. Some of these include Fedex, Gemini Air Cargo, Varig Logística, Continental Airlines, Pan American World Airways, Northwest, and Swissair.
Current Focuses: With over half of our development team actively serving the USAF, and with some recent world events, you could probably guess the development schedule is all over the place. I can say though, there has not been a week of idling for our awesome team. We have been working hard to ensure we make this aircraft the highest quality possible for us.
You can follow the aircraft’s progress on the developer’s Discord Server and check out the many images below.
Next comes FlightFX with a two-fold update posted on Discord. We start with a new look at the Cirrus Vision Jet, which will come in two versions.
“Can now confirm that the Vision Jet will ship with two distinct versions.
Executive
2nd row center console, two chairs followed by luggage area.
Family
Two main chairs, no center console, third row large and small chairs.Each version will ship with two separate paint schemes. The first will be based off of the aircraft we observed in hangar. Color scheme TBD. The second will be based off of the attached Uluru paint scheme. We will most likely make alterations to the color to be a bit more in line with our corporate colors (more punchy orange and a brighter interior than the cinnamon interior you see.
Dramatic transformations of the interior are underway. Updates to seating, paneling, dash, controls are all coming into view. Updated landing gear and exterior adjustments will be noticeable to alpha testers when the new version comes out next In addition texturing off the interior has now begun. Based on current trajectory visual modeling is on pace to clear major hurdles very soon. Visual tweaking will continue to happen during flight model adjustments and alpha testing. Over the next several weeks. We are starting to see the finish line and look forward to making an announcement of a release date and price soon.”
The developer also shared new screenshots of the upcoming DuPage Airport (KDPA) in Illinois, United States.
Last, but not least, we hear from Dreamflight Studios, which announced that Gregorio Luperón International Airport (MDPP) serving Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic will be released today, February 26, and showcased new screenshots. We will update this post when the airport becomes available, as it should be simply a matter of time.
Update: The Airport has been released and you can purchase it on SimMarket and Contrail for approximately $15 plus applicable VAT.
