We've been quite busy behind the scenes and are very happy to announce that a large glider update is now available as a Steam beta! Not only have we added two new gliders to the fleet: ASK 21 and Antares 21E but we're also adding a full physics simulation for winch launches and glider aerotows. And we've been working on a number of glider fields as well which are coming soon.
With these new features you are now able to practice your flying skills in Aerofly FS 4:
Self launch
Winch launch
Glider aerotow
Gravity launch (Lukla? :D)
Start in the air to practice outlandings
Start on final approach for landing practices
Simulated engine failure and landing with pylon extended
Change-log 2024-05-10
Added Antares 21E self launch electric glider
Added ASK-21 twin seat trainer glider
Added glider winch launch, selectable from location menu at airports with dedicated winch launch positions or on any runway longer than about 600m.
Added glider aerotow launch, selectable from location menu at airports with dedicated aerotow launch positions or on any runway longer than about 400m.
Added assignment for Glider-Engine, Glider Hook and "Glider Action" which tells the winch or towplane to commence the launch
Added high detail glider airfield "Farrenberg", near Tübingen and Mössingen in Germany, with custom 3D buildings and objects and very high quality terrain elevation data at 1m resolution.
Added custom winch launch positions and aerotow launch positions to the existing high detail glider airfield EDST Hahnweide, SE of Stuttgart.
Added custom winch and aerotow launch positions for EDSP Poltringen, EDPA Aalen-Heidenheim, EDMT Tannheim, EDTM Mengen, LFNC St. Crepin, LFNS Sisteron and several other airfields.
Added glider variometer sounds are now adjusted by the optional assistance "auto-cockpit". On the ground the assistance mutes the vario sound automatically and turns the volume back up after the winch launch or when the aircraft is in the air long enough during aerotow.
Updated glider vario sound behavior and added speed command switching
New repaints:
Added 20+ new repaints for the 777
Added 20+ new repaints for the Q400
Added 5+ new repaints for the MB339
Screenshots of the new Gliders, Winch and Glider Tow
A321 Now Available in Beta Version
The A321 is now available in the Steam Beta for Aerofly FS 4 as part of the Aircraft Add-On DLC! Please test the new aircraft and all other aircraft and give us feedback below. To participate in the beta please go to your Steam library, right click Aerofly FS 4 on the left, select Properties, then Betas and select the latest beta version. Steam will then show an update for you.
When we know the latest Aerofly FS beta version runs stable we can move forward to adding glider launches and aerotows, which are not yet included in this update! Teasers about the upcoming glider update: https://www.aerofly.com/community/forum/index.php?thread/22222-the-glider-update-is-coming-soon/
Change-Log 2024-05-08
added flight information shows approach speed as yellow triangle in airspeed tape
added Saitek panel all aircraft that have a DME now display the DME distance
changed aircraft with elevator trim now allow full range of control surface motion even with trim not neutralized
changed all glider airspeed indicators now fluctuate in high side slip or high angle of attack situation
added A321 with CFM and IAE engine variants
added A320 flap, air conditioning, PTU and hydraulic pumps sounds
changed A320 CFM engine and wind sounds improved
added A320 dome lighting
added A380 storm lighting
fixed A380 magnetic standby compass rotates correctly in the frame
fixed A380 tray table animation
fixed B737NG thrust ratings corrected for TO B,TO 1, TO 2, CLB 1, CLB 2 and CRZ
fixed B737NG CDU takeoff flap 10 and 25 now also allowed
fixed B737NG pilot hand animation movement direction
added B737MAX three new repaints
added B737MAX PFD auxiliary display flight number can be changed through the CDU flight number field
fixed B747 strobe flasher now single pulse
fixed B777 status page shows correct APU values
added B787 auxiliary display flight number can be changed through the CDU flight number field
changed C172 DME display improved
fixed DR1 tail gear bouncing less
fixed F18 wing tip lights move with wing folding
changed MB339 improvements to 3D model and textures
added MB339 new repaints and new external parts
changed Baron B58 improvements to 3D model and textures
changed Extra 330LX improvements to 3D model and textures
fixed Pitts tail gear steering is visible again
fixed UH60 CDU TCN on/off display
changed ASG 29 flight model improvements
added ASG 29 pilot hand animation switches between flaps and flap handle
fixed Swift S1 tail gear and wing wheels bouncing less
We've added new custom made terminals, 3D objects and details to many airports in South East Asia.
MWKK - Kuala Lumpur VTBS - Bangkok Suvarnabhumi VTSP - Phuket WIII - Soekarno–Hatta (Jakarta, Indonesia) WBSB - Brunei VVTS - Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam) VVNB - Noi Bai (Hanoi, Vietnam) WIMM - Kualanamu (Medan, Indonesia) WAHH - Adisutjipto (Yogyakarta, Indonesia) WSSL - Seletar (Singapore) WADD - Ngurah Rai (Bali, Indonesia) WARR - Juanda (Sidoarjo, Indonesia)
Screenshots
Canary Islands updated
We've added new high resolution aerial images for the Canary Islands. They are automatically loaded for you when you have the global scenery streaming switched on.
Enjoy your next flights to
Tenerife
Gran Canaria
Fuerteventura
Lanzarote
La Palma
La Gomera
La Frontera
Aerofly FS - Lukla Region Now Available!
The Tenzing-Hillary Airport Lukla (LUA/VNLK), surrounding airports and region are now available for Aerofly FS 4 as a free update!
Lukla is the "Gateway to Mount Everest" and considered as the "World's Most Dangerous Airport" by many. With its short (527m) and sloped runway (13%) that has a wall at the end it is certainly is a challenge to land your aircraft at Lukla. You only have one try, there is no go-around possibility once you drop below 9300ft on approach. The lack of navigational aids and visual approach guides (VFR only!) and high altitude (2850m/9350ft) certainly don't make it any easier. Depending on the wind direction you either land with a tailwind or experience turbulence or up- and downdrafts. And there is no re-fuel on the airport either, so you have to bring the fuel you need for the next flight, increasing your landing weight as well. If you make the landing you have to make sure you also roll uphill long enough so that you get up the steep gradient of 13%. Once you are up there you will have to squeeze into your parking spot on the very small apron. During takeoff the steep slope helps accelerate the aircraft quickly and at the end of the runway the terrain drops off steeply.
Aerofly FS 4 Version 4.04.05.01 ( 2024-02-20 )
Changelog
Aerofly FS 4 Flight Simulator
Added: Custom made airport VHHH Hong Kong
Added: Custom made airport WSSS Singapore
Changed: Copilot takeoff rotation is performed a bit later to improve tail-strike margins
Changed: Copilot sends fewer messages to the autopilot during altitude capture
Changed: Assistance "Auto-Cockpit" now set the auto-brake selector of the 737 NG and MAX to OFF shortly after lift off during gear retraction, because the real world aircraft does not do this automatically like in other aircraft.
Changed: Minor bug fixes
Aircraft AddOn DLC
Added New Boeing 737 MAX 9
Screenshots of the new airports
The new 737 MAX 9 is now released!
The 737 MAX is now available in Aerofly FS 4 in the Aircraft AddOn DLC!
Full Feature List
You can find all features and details of the 737 MAX 9 on our website: https://www.aerofly.com/features/aircraft/b737max/
Full Flight Tutorial
Check out the tutorial for the 737 NG on our website, which can also be applied for your first 737 MAX flights for the most part https://www.aerofly.com/tutorials/b737ng/
Screenshots
Of course, like the 737 NG, the 737 MAX is also simulated in great detail and very close to the real world. It will feature a fully interactive cockpit and cold and dark startup.
The 737 MAX actually has a number of differences compared to the 737 NG series both in real life and also modeled in our aircraft. The major differences are:
New engines CFM LEAP-1B (CFM 56 before) with bowed rotor motoring (BRM) during startup, which can take up to 90 seconds per engine, custom engine sounds
Front panel completely redesigned with four wide screen displays, similar to the 787 Dreamliner but with commonality to the 737 screen rendering
New split winglets
Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), latest software version with two sensors is simulated based on real world documentation
Fly by wire spoiler features are simulated
Autopilot is fail-passive and has autoland rollout capability
Several minor changes to the overhead panel
The 737 MAX 9 is coming soon!
Development of our 737 MAX is nearing completion and it will soon be available in Aerofly FS.
Of course, like the 737 NG, the 737 MAX is also simulated in great detail and very close to the real world. It will feature a fully interactive cockpit and cold and dark startup.
The 737 MAX actually has a number of differences compared to the 737 NG series both in real life and also modeled in our aircraft. The major differences are:
New engines CFM LEAP-1B (CFM 56 before) with bowed rotor motoring (BRM) during startup, which can take up to 90 seconds per engine, custom engine sounds
Front panel completely redesigned with four wide screen displays, similar to the 787 Dreamliner but with commonality to the 737 screen rendering
New split winglets
Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS), latest software version with two sensors is simulated based on real world documentation
Fly by wire spoiler features are simulated
Autopilot is fail-passive and has autoland rollout capability
Several minor changes to the overhead panel
Full Feature List
You can find all features and details of the 737 MAX 9 on our website: https://www.aerofly.com/features/aircraft/b737max/
Full Flight Tutorial
Check out the tutorial for the 737 NG on our website, which can also be applied for your first 737 MAX flights for the most part https://www.aerofly.com/tutorials/b737ng/
Screenshots
Aerofly FS 4 Version 4.04.03.01 ( 2024-02-08 )
This update mainly features improved elevation data on the northern hemisphere.
Pushback Now Available in Aerofly FS 4!
Dear Aerofly FS 4 fans,
We wish you an early Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! As a present for you and to wrap up 2023 we added Pushback to Aerofly FS 4 Flight Simulator!
Pushback
Activating the Pushback
With this update Pushback will be available for our airliners. Any time the aircraft is stopped on the ground pushback can be activated either using an assignable shortcut or using the screen overlay which can be activated in the settings. The default assignment to activate the pushback is 'Shift + P', however, if you already have Aerofly FS 4 installed then you will need to manually set this assignment in the controls menu in the general/simulation category, Pushback toggle.
Pushback is also available from the location menu. When you select one of the new aircraft parking positions or stands with a pushback icon then the tug will automatically be connected at the start of the simulation. You'll have the option to select between "Push with engines running" and "Push and start" with engines off. Even when there is no pushback icon shown in the location menu you can still activate pushback with the shortcut or menu overlay button if you have an airliner selected.
Controlling the Pushback
To control the pushback tug we use your assignment for throttle and rudder/nosewheel tiller input. You have manual control of the tug. The throttle increases the pushback speed and with idle throttle the tug stops. Using your rudder input (or tiller if assigned) the tug steers into position automatically so that your input directly correspond to a turning your aircraft just as if there was no pushback and you were rolling backwards.
There are even new camera views inside the pushback cabin and on the outside of the vehicle.
Tutorial
We have published a tutorial for the Pushback on our website: https://www.aerofly.com/tutorials/pushback/
Changelog Version 4.03.03.01 (20231218)
Added Pushback available for airliners on the ground anytime the aircraft is stopped
Changed location menu to display aircraft parking positions with pushback
Fixed location menu repositioning to a cruise position now sets the correct speed below 10,000ft
Improvements to missions menus
Added user made custom missions are loaded from the user documents directory, Aerofly FS 4/missions/custom_missions_user.tmc file
Improvements to several airports around the world
Added multiple different repaints for several aircraft, e.g. A320, C172, F/A-18C, Q400 and others
Added B747, B777, B787 CDU messages like: DRAG REQUIRED, etc.
Changed B7x7 CDU: improvements to preflight init pages: flight number, cruise wind and transition altitude and transition level can now be changed.
Added C172 3D directional sounds
Improvements to F/A-18C model, textures and repaints
Fixed B787 first-officer yoke now works correctly with virtual hands
Fixed B737NG overhead panel illumination and navigation display range selection
Fixed Concorde overhead panel is interactive in dedicated overhead panel view
Fixed Ju-52 ADF off-scale, B787 fan rotation direction, LJ45 and Q400 altitude alert beep volume reduced
