FlyByWire Simulations has announced a major milestone for its A380X project, building on its previous success with the A32NX in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. The A380X has been in development for four years and will soon be available in an open alpha stage. This developer preview release allows users and external contributors to experience the aircraft while acknowledging that many systems are still in active development. The team highlights that performance may be lower compared to the A32NX, and some systems will be inoperative at launch, but features and improvements will roll out over time.
Key features of the A380X include advanced flight management, custom flight displays, and extensive aircraft systems like electrical, pneumatic, and environmental simulations. The aircraft also features a detailed wing flex system, brake to vacate functionality, and onboard airport navigation systems. FlyByWire is committed to realism, with a highly detailed 3D model and textures based on real-world references, along with extensive failure simulations and flight control features. However, users are advised that this alpha version is still incomplete, and some features will not be functional initially.
Looking ahead, FlyByWire has confirmed that the A380X will be compatible with MSFS 2024, although the transition will take time due to the necessary optimizations. They have planned a YouTube live event on October 26th to showcase the A380X and engage with the community. While excited about the progress so far, FlyByWire emphasizes that development will continue, with frequent updates and ongoing feedback from users and contributors to refine and enhance the aircraft further.