It was perhaps the most anticipated release of last year, and now Active Sky XP is in for it's first major update; Service Pack 1. We previously reported on the news of an impending update a few weeks ago. The update has now entered open beta phase, meaning that all customers can now receive the SP1 beta free of charge.

HiFi Simulation Technologies are the first the first to remind users that the betas will contain issues and that by using the open beta users understand that ASXP will not be 100% stable.

Here's the changelog for Service Pack 1:

• Added Turbulence improvements throughout for increased realism and compatibility with various aircraft types
• Improved weather update process to significantly reduce “cloud redraws” when the relevant cell areas haven’t changed significantly even during a download/update process
• Added new 3-letter USA airport/weather station data support – 3 letter airports now provide actual weather data, when available, instead of interpolating
• Improved weather station coverage by approximately 500 stations globally
• Added 5 second delay when looping ATIS/Flightwatch messages
• Added common data export path support as per FSX/P3D AS products (available in General options)
• Added support of VV/// METAR elements which will force ceiling to 0ft
• Added additional X-Plane version checking logic during folder selection process to prevent a case where automatic detection of an old/obsolete version could be found without user’s confirmation and no ability to select the desired/proper version folder
• Added + character support in Active Sky account e-mail addresses
• Improved documentation regarding default X-Plane location/folder selection process whether standard or Steam variant
• Added various user registration process improvements
• Improved cell/station logic logging for debugging purposes
• Improved interpolation logic for very short flights with or without flight plan for more accurate weather conditions even when a station borders multiple “cells” that previously may have had variable weather causing apparent discrepancies
• Improved interpolation logic in general
• Adjusted Maximum and Minimum Surface Visibility options when in default non-global depiction mode to limit maximum value to 20 miles (due to X-Plane limitations in this mode)
• Reduced yaw/side forces during turbulence effects
• Various UI adjustments for 125% and 150% scaling modes
• Changed default maximum surface visibility to 20 miles for consistency between depiction modes
• Updated Documentation to account for changes
• Fixed problem with ASXP turbulence not effecting larger aircraft appropriately
• Fixed issue regarding yaw forces seemingly persisting after turbulence events in some cases
• Fixed problem with cirrus clouds not depicting in many cases when in default cell/theme depiction mode
• Fixed some UI layout issues in certain cases
• Fixed some language issues and typos in UI messages, descriptions and documentation
• Fixed problem in password change function where password change may cause inability to login in some cases
• Fixed issue with crosswind attenuation with gusts/variability present
• Fixed problem with very long passwords
• Fixed an issue regarding sigmet boundary parsing in some cases
• Fixed problem regarding delayed/obsolete TAF data preventing proper interpolation in some cases
• Fixed issue regarding AI aircraft data read in some cases (regarding certain add-ons that modify internal AI aircraft datarefs)

You can join the open beta by visiting the "Downloads" section of the HiFi website and downloading the "ASXP SP1 Open Beta Installer".