Today third-party developers revealed quite a few interesting details and assets about upcoming add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
First of all, we get a brand new announcement from Aeroplane Heaven, which will release a venerable Cessna 140 next week on July 5.
Below you can check out a lot of images and the full announcement from Aeroplane Heaven.
“On Monday 5th July, we will be launching our new Cessna 140 for MSFS (2020).
The MSFS Cessna 140 package has all new models including a Bush Plane version with BIG tires. There are 8 liveries and a variety of cockpit styles.
For those who can’t live without a modern navigation system, you will be able to select a full G1000 suite at the touch of a button.
Capping it all off is full stereo soundpack for the Continental specially coded night lighting and an authentic “tail-dragger” flight model.”
Next comes Aerosoft with more screenshots of the upcoming Bombardier CRJ 1000, which will come alongside the CRJ 900 as a further add-on to the excellent CRJ 550/700 package.
Speaking of Aerosoft, we hear that we should not expect the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is on schedule but we should not expect a release before August.
DC Designs provided new images and a development update of the F-14B Tomcat.
“After last week’s epic update, this week’s is a bit smaller as work on the Tomcats has begun to focus down into smaller and smaller things as the project gradually enters the test phase. At this time, the pilot’s cockpit is now probably about 95% complete, with further tasks mainly involving instrument accuracy and coding for the various functions, some of which are stock-sim but many of which are custom. The RIO cockpit is next week’s main task – naturally this won’t be as highly functional as the pilot’s office, due to the lack of functionality in MSFS for most of the RIO’s instruments.
One very good piece of news is that with the help of other developers ( thanks Big Radials ! ) I have successfully re-integrated the crew members into the Virtual cockpit. These folks disappear when you occupy their seat, so when you look behind you from the pilot’s cockpit you can see the RIO sitting in his seat, and vice-versa. This was an ability that was briefly lost as I’d forgotten a key aspect of how it operated, but it’s now back in and will also be brought back to the Stearman and F-15 Eagles as soon as possible. Happily, the animations created for the crew’s moving heads, visors and masks are also now active once again.
Flight testing is also continuing apace. I noticed that I’d over-done things with failures yesterday when I took off in the F-14 from NAS Oceana in a fairly heavy crosswind, and the resulting opposite rudder during the take-off roll caused a compressor stall in the left engine just after rotation. Procedure was followed, the take-off was continued on one engine, and the failed engine underwent a successful Air Start soon after. I’ll be taking a look at the code to figure out a way to prevent compressor stalls at take-off, as that’s not really something that would have happened in real-life as far as I’m aware. I have also animated a number of engine switches that I believe were designed to protect against this, so that may also offer an alternative ( and another procedure that users will have to ensure they complete, to prevent the same stall from happening to them ).
Work on the textures is underway, with some valiant re-mapping going on to suit the preferences of the artist. I’m hoping to share images but it’s a big job, so it might be a while before I can do so. The aircraft will soon also be heading to Sim Acoustics for the custom sound package work to begin, another essential part of the project that I can’t wait to hear!
Enjoy the images, all are WIP of course at this stage. Once the RIO station is completed, I will be undertaking the modelling revisions required to create the F-14B.”
Next comes a single screenshot of the work-in-progress cockpit of SC Designs‘ F-16C Fighting Falcon.
The project is still on target for a fall release, and the developer intends to include the F-16D twin-seater variant.
A single image today of work progressing in the F-16C cockpit. The seat has also had further work done, but most attention has been on building and scaling the interior surfaces. We’re aiming for a fairly high level of detail with this one, approximately the same as the DC Designs F-14 Tomcat, and will also be incorporating the same level of failures / aerodynamic realism that is becoming a required feature of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
It will probably be a couple of weeks at least before the cockpit reaches a level where it can be tested in the simulator for visual flaws, after which work will start on functionality and gauge design. Still on target though for an autumn ( fall ) launch and very happy with the way things are going.
Finally, barring any unforeseen delays, we will be including the F-16D twin-seat variant in this package as lots of people have requested it. The rear seat won’t have the full functionality of the front, but will be modeled to the same standard.”
We also get airport news from South America, as Simulación Extrema completed work on Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport Airport (SCNT) in Puerto Natales, Chile. It will launch packaged with scenery for the scenic Torres del Paine mountains.
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.
A couple of days ago, we heard more about the Xbox version of the simulator and we saw some impressive performance upgrades for the PC version which will come at the same time.
If you’d like to read more about Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons, you can enjoy our recent reviews of Kraków Airport, Fukuoka City & Airport, Fort Lauderdale Airport, Chongqing City & Airport, Manila Airport, Santiago Airport, the Frankfurt City Pack, Key West Airport, the Okavango Delta, Bali Airport, London Oxford Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the CRJ 550/700, the PA-28R Arrow III, Kristiansand Airport, Macau City & Airport, 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 on July 27, 2021, for Xbox Series X ad Series S.
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