Microsoft Flight Simulator F-14 Tomcat, Twin Otter, Bristol Airport, & Aalborg Get New Screenshots; Dubai & More Released

Today third-party developers shared new assets and updates about multiple add-ons for Microsoft Flight Simulator, while more have been released.

Aerosoft provided a look at the aircraft and livery selection of the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter showing some of the many variants. We also learn that next week work will start on testing and the manual.

We also get more screenshots, a video, and a rather sizable development update for the F-14 Tomcat by DC Designs.

The video showcase a spin-test, while we get to hear more about the state of development.

“This week has all been about advancing the F-14A cockpit to completion, while also coding and incorporating all of the warning lights, cockpit illumination, general animations and custom switch animations. There have been some exciting new developments that I think you’ll all like which I can now share with everybody as I start on the road to completing and releasing the F-14s.

The first really cool announcement for this week is that, thanks to the hard work of CodenameJack, the F-14s will be the first fighter aircraft in MSFS to have custom HTML gauges designed to emulate the appearance of the real aircraft. There have been quite a lot of aircraft released that “borrow” the stock screens from airliners, but nothing for fighters specifically. This includes an HTML Heads Up Display. The work is early as we’re really just starting to learn how to do all of this, but clear high-performance displays are now a reality and the Tomcats look all the better for it. Performance saw an increase of around 10 frames per second when the older XML layouts from the F-15s were replaced with the new displays, so it really does make a difference and they look much sharper too.

The second really cool announcement is that Effects are now possible in the simulator. The SDK contains basic instructions to create these effects, and those already included with the sim are being incorporated into the Tomcats ( contrails ) which you can see in the attached images. While I can’t make any promises, it would seem highly likely that a form of effect based on the contrails would make an excellent G-vapor effect above the wings and fuselage, and I will be attempting to do this soon once all the absolutely essential work is done on the exterior model.”

The developer also shared an announcement about all of its aircraft, which you can read directly on Facebook.

Next is Bristol Airport (EGGD) from PilotPlus, which is being created from the ground up for Microsoft Flight Simulator instead of porting it from obsolete sims.

We also take a look at SimNord‘s rendition of Aalborg Airport (EKYT) in North Jutland, Denmark.

We learn that the airport is finished and is being tested while the developer waits for approval for a release on the marketplace.

Simnord also announced that its next destination will be Aarhus (EKAH) plus points of interest for Bornholm.

We then get a few releases of airports and scenery showcased over the past few days.

Orbx’s Dubai City Pack is now available on Orbx Direct for $7.58.

Here’s what you can expect.

• 2 high-detail custom landmarks including Atlantis The Palm, Royal Atlantis, Jumeirah Gate, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, The Address highrises, Dubai Frame, and the Ain Dubai ferris wheel
• 185 medium-detail custom landmarks, balancing quality and performance
• Coloured night lighting and other enhancements for the six default landmark buildings, including Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab
• OMDU Skydive Dubai is modeled with its unusual raised concrete platform runway and small terminal building
• Custom orthoimagery from the Palm Jumeirah area in the south to just west of Dubai International Airport
• Many enhancements to the city and surrounding areas: improved vegetation and building placements, static trains and boats, cranes, chimneys, etc.
• Extensive terraforming across the coverage area, enhancing how our custom landmarks sit within the simulator’s terrain
• Custom night lighting based on real-world photography

Seychelles by Flight Sim Development Group has also been released and you can purchase it at the developer’s own store for €29,75 including applicable VAT.

Below you can read a features list.

• Complete coverage of Seychelles
• All islands included
• Complete custom aerial imagery
• Realistic reefs around the islands
• Accurate and detailed rendition of Seychelles International Airport, Mahe (FSIA)
• Accurate and detailed rendition of Praslin Regional Airport (FSPP)
• 14 additional detailed airstrips
• Detailed rendition of island resorts
• Optional static aircraft
• Optimized for great performance and visual quality
• Compatible with all known addons
• Manual included

Speaking of island scenery, Isle Of Man (EGNS) in the UK from UK2000 Scenery is also now available at the developer’s own store for £14.99.

Here’s what you can expect.

• Full detail Buildings
• Realistic Ground Markings
• Hi Res ground image
• UK Runway markings
• Stunning Night Effects
• High details Airport Vehicles
• Excellent Frame Rates
• Full set of signs
• Fencing
• GA Static Aircraft
• Manual and Options
• Improved runway lights
• Vegatation
• PBR Materials

Last, but not least, JustSim announced and released at the same time its rendition of Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (LEBL).

It’s now available on Simmarket for approximately $24 plus applicable VAT. Since this is the first time we see it, you can check out a gallery of screenshots below.

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.

If you’d like to read more about Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons, you can enjoy our recent reviews of 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, 2024 for Xbox Series X ad Series S.