In the latest Development Update, Jorg Neumann, Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, Sebastian Wloch, Asobo's Studios CEO and Martial Bossard, Executive Producer at Asobo, provided us with an update on upcoming projects for the platform over the coming months.
Jorg revealed that the An-225 has almost reached a $1 million milestone in sales, with the proceedings being sent to Antonov to help rebuild the real aircraft. He also said the ATR 42-600/72-600 is currently the best-selling aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS). The package will get its first update, which includes SimBrief integration and the ability to set the payload via the EFB (Electronic Flight Bag). There are also plans to release updates for the An-225 and the DHC-4 Caribu.
The team is also planning to implement TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network) for Hawaii after bad weather prevented this feature from being implemented in World Update XIII on release. Moreover, World Update XIII has been delayed until July this year, also caused by weather.
Microsoft plans to release City Update 2: France in June, covering five cities, Amiens, Angers, Nantes, Nimes and Reims. Additionally, iniBuilds is working on LFPB Paris Le Bourget Airport, which will also be included in the update.
Local Legends 9 will be based on the French-built Latécoère 631 flying boat. The aircraft was developed by BlueMesh, who also made the Spirit of St Louis, Wright Flyer and the Spruce Goose in MSFS. It is due to be released in June this year.
Aircraft and Avionics Update 2 will also be released in June. The Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner will see a significant avionics overhaul, including:
- Full LNAV, RNAV and VFR approaches
- Performance-based VNAV (climb/descend) w/econ, Ci, alternates
- Complete autothrottle with fixed and temp based derate
- V Speed computations for take-off and landing refs
- A new fly-by-wire system with trim speed (C*U law)
- Full set of normal autopilot modes, plus LAND/FLARE/ROLLOUT
- Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 simulation with TPR
- Overhauled screen visual detail such as fonts, pane system, split CDUs/MFDs
- Deep HUD with both normal and decluttered mode w/runway outline
- Updated systems simulations and synoptic pages (hydraulics, fuel, CAS, etc)
- Updated flight model based on real performance data and sounds.
- The 747-8 is also receiving an update with similar changes:
- LNAV, RNAV and VFR approaches with performance-based VNAV (climb/descend) w/econ, cost index modelling and alternate airports
- Complete A/T with fixed and temp based derate
- V Speed computations for take-off and landing refs
- Complete set of normal autopilot modes, plus LAND/FLARE/ROLLOUT
- Overhauled screen visuals, fonts, pane system, split CDUs/MFDs
- Updated systems simulations and synoptic pages
- Updated flight model based on actual performance data.
