MSFS 2020 - Week in Review [13. Dec - 18. Dec]

FlyByWire updates A32NX to next stable 0.5.0

Today, FlyByWire released a new update for their A320neo enhancement mod A32NX. It features major new features such as Simbrief integration, ATSU and OPTIONS menu, a reworked flight model, overhauled interior and exterior sounds, improved lighting, and much more. The entire changelog lists 165 changes made to the previous version. Although users were looking forward to new features such as electrical and hydraulic systems and a new custom fly-by-wire system, FlyByWire had to postpone these changes due to issues with the MSFS SDK tools. Once those issues are addressed by Asobo, more updates will come.

Major new features include:

• AOC INIT REQUEST SimBrief integration
• Completely reworked flight model (Flaps, AOA, drag/thrust ratio, vertical stabilizer)
• Completely reworked engine, cockpit, and ground roll sounds
• Completely reworked interior and exterior lighting
• Major improvements to PFD, ND, EWD and SD display graphics
• Improved speed calculations (S, F, VApp, VLS), including ground speed mini implementation
• Added support for airways
• Implemented ATSU/AOC with METAR/TAF/ATIS requests and free text
• Implemented OPTIONS MCDU menu for configuring user settings
  • ADIRS alignment time
  • DMC self-test time
  • METAR/TAF/ATIS request sources
  • Switching between metric and imperial units

To update, simply re-run your A32NX installer and it should detect that there is an update available. Alternatively, you can download the package from GitHub or FlyByWire website.

Parallel 42 Releases The Skypark

Early Access software The Skypark has just been released, featuring a innovative tool to discover new places and adventures in your sim, by accepting imaginary jobs and contracts. Read our review here.

ORBX End of Year Sale - Up to 30%

More than 250 ORBX flight sim products have been reduced in price, up to 30% off. Sale ends on January 05, 2021. A wide range of ORBX partner products are also on sale, including aircraft, airports, enhancement packs for aircraft and more. However, the sale excludes products released in the last 90 days, and various partner products.

• Drzewiecki Design - 25% Off MSFS Landmarks (The recently released Chicago is not included)
• IRIS - 30% off the Jabiru
• SoFly - 30% off Weather Preset Pro for MSFS
• PilotPlus - All products 30% off (15% off recently released Wycombe for MSFS).
• MK STUDIOS - 30% off everything, (excluding recently released Dublin MSFS and Helsinki P3D).
• FSimStudios - 30% off Edmonton and Kelowna (for MSFS and P3D), 10% off Vancouver for P3D.
• GAYA Simulations - 15% off everything, excluding the recently released Sankt Johann Airport

JustSim releases Hamburg Airport

Hamburg Airport (IATA: HAM, ICAO: EDDH), known in German as Flughafen Hamburg "Helmut Schmidt", is the international airport of Hamburg, the second-largest city in Germany. You can purchase it from simMarket for EUR 19.80 (+ tax), while owners of the previous X-Plane or P3D version can get a discount.

FlyTampa Releases Las Vegas

FlyTampa features Las Vegas McCarran (KLAS) Airport modeled with PBR materials, custom buildings and animations, 3D bridges, animated vehicles and trains and dynamic lighting for $ 19.99 USD on their own store.

Pilot Plus Releases London Southend

Another airport released this week is London Southend. London Southend, located in Essex, is a popular airport serving the south of England. It can be purchased from ORBX Direct, estimated price range is US $19.80 | €16,18 | £14.66.

MSFS Development Update: Virtual Reality Previewed

A new MSFS development update has been released, and it features Virtual Reality in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. According to Microsoft, VR will be compatible with all major VR headsets. Their 5-minute-long Feature Discovery Series Episode 9 features all relevant information regarding VR. Also, a new Development roadmap has been released. Sim Update 2 is expected to drop on December 22, 2020.

MSFS celebrates more than 2 Million Users

Since the simulator launched on August 18th 2020, 2 million users have lifted off into the skies. According to Xbox Press Release, it is the Fastest Growing entry in the series. The community has piloted more than 50 million flights and has logged more than 3.5 billion miles flown to date – the equivalent of flying 19 times roundtrip from the Earth to the Sun, or around the world over 400 thousand times. To celebrate, everyone will receive a unique Microsoft Flight Simulator-themed livery for the entire launch plane fleet and simmers will be able to fly with the same cute dog-themed liveries that Rufus and Sam flew in their Pitts Special. Finally, given the time of year, the update will add real-time snow and true-to-life ice coverage to the entire planet.

Tailstrike Designs Releases Airport Reggio Calabria

Fly to the tip of Italy’s distinctive boot shape – with Reggio Calabria. Airport Reggio Calabria for the Microsoft Flight Simulator comes with custom Sat image surrounding the airport as well as custom Terrain. It can be purchased from Aerosoft store for EUR 18.10.

Jetstream Designs Releases Paris Orly

Welcome to Paris Orly Airport, the second largest hub serving Paris. LFPO is embedded with rich history, with old terminals mixed along with state-of-the-art modern buildings, making the general airport architecture very unique. Purchase it from simMarket for EUR 19.80 excl. tax.

DC Designs 2021 features Roadmap for 2021

According to DC Designs, they are looking forward to soon bring several aircraft already known from previous simulators, such as Prepar3D, to MSFS, so that you can upgrade cheaply and continue to have access to them in the new simulator. The list is in rough order of release, but for the most part there are no actual dates as it always seems that those dates slip a little due to the complexities of flight simulator and issues that arise during testing. Many of these were originally destined for FSX and Prepar3D, but are now being upgraded for MSFS instead.

• F-15 Eagles package
• F-18 Super Hornets package
• F-14 A/D Tomcats package – ( first native MSFS product )
• P-47 Thunderbolt
• USS Kitty Hawk
• Concorde
• F-16 C/D Fighting Falcons package
• A-10C Thunderbolt II
• Mk 9/14 Spitfires package
• Hawk T2