In the latest developer stream Jorg Neumann, Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS), Sebastian Wloch, Asobo's Studios CEO and Martial Bossard, Executive Producer at Asobo, provided us with an update on what projects are planned for the platform in the coming year.

Aircraft and Avionics Update 1 was released earlier this month, introducing several improvements to the default aircraft and avionics. Firstly, the Garmin GNS 430 and GNS 530 were upgraded to bring them closer to their real-world counterparts. Some of the highlights include RNAV support with departure, arrival and approach procedures, vertical guidance, GPS satellite simulation and an accurate ADS-B Traffic Avoidance System.

The default Cessna Citation CJ4 now features independent MFD and FMS, VNAV support, improved autopilot, cabin pressurisation, FMS calculations for takeoff and landing speeds, integrated dual engine FADEC systems and flight model improvements.

The Garmin G3000 and G5000 units have had a comprehensive overhaul with accurate font and symbology, a Garmin Touch Controller, advanced flight plan support and coupled VNAV. These improvements were carried over to the default TBM 930 as well as adding an accurate EIS (Electronic Instrument System), updated synoptic pages and operational cockpit and cabin doors to the aircraft. Finally, the Cessna Citation Longitude was upgraded with advanced VNAV functionality along with various flight model improvements, a new autothrottle and a bleed air system with pressure and temperature simulations. The hydraulic and electrical systems have also been overhauled and an automated brake system has been added.

Jorg also announced the next World Update will cover New Zealand with a release date scheduled for early February this year. World Update 12: New Zealand will contain new aerial imagery and DEM data, seven photogrammetry cities as well as several landing challenges, bush trips and discovery flights. Additionally, the initial four bespoke airports planned in the original World Update 12 has now been upgraded to nine, with the additional airports designed by Orbx and NZA. Similarly, Asobo's initial 30 Points of Interest (POI) has been upped to more than 60. Jorge also said that Hobbiton will feature in the World Update.

Asobo also announced the next Local Legends aircraft is the de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou. Designed by Orbx, the aircraft will feature a highly detailed 3D cockpit and exterior model based on laser scans, authentic night lighting and functional circuit breakers. It will also feature a realistic flight model to capture the STOL capabilities of the real aircraft and a custom sound set. It is scheduled to release at the same time as World Update 12.

Sim Update 12 is planned to release in March this year. The main focus is on stability and improving memory utilisation as well as content updates. There will also be a massive effort to fix various bugs in the simulator and to improve the glider and helicopter flight dynamics. Issues with thermals and turbulence will also be addressed as well as further refinements to the turboprop engine modelling.

The team also revealed that the next Famous Flyer aircraft will be the Antonov AN-2. Developed by AT Simulations, the AN-2 for MSFS is an authentic recreation of the real aircraft with accurate systems modelling and animations. The aircraft is scheduled to release in March or around the same time as Sim Update 12.

In a surprise announcement, Asobo revealed iniBuilds was working on the Antonov An-225, developed with the help of actual AN-225 pilots. The real aircraft was destroyed in February last year following the invasion of Ukraine, but it will be made available virtually in Microsoft Flight Simulator. The exterior and interior, including the entire flight deck has been recreated with the six crew stations: captain and co-pilot, flight engineer, electrical engineer, navigator station and radio operator.

It also sports an EFB with a payload manager, animated cargo doors and custom sounds recorded using real-world reference materials. The AN-225 will be released as a payware package and according to Jorg, the intent is to send all the proceeds for the sale of the virtual AN-225 to Antonov to help rebuild the real aircraft. It is planned to release on PC on the anniversary of the destruction of the real AN-225 on February 27. The Xbox version will be released at a later date.