FlightSim Studio has recently previewed its upcoming Super27 expansion for the Boeing 727, building upon the original base package, with more modern equipment and several new additions.

The Super27 expansion was first announced back in June. Since then, the team has posted two detailed updates, titled "Focus #1" and "Focus #2", that sketch a clear picture of what this retrofit will bring to the table.

Focus #1

The first post set the scene with visuals and core changes. The 727 receives the real-world Super 27 treatment: uprated JT8D-217C pod engines, with clamshell reversers, plus a centre JT8D-17A upgrade. They are larger, quieter, and give the jet its distinctive Super27 silhouette. New operator liveries are included for both freighter and passenger variants, and you can adapt existing paints easily, as the exterior textures are largely unchanged, beyond of course, the new powerplants.

Inside the cockpit, the flight engineer’s fuel gauges move to digital readouts, according to the new avionics layout. A combined digital VSI, with integrated TCAS, arrives, paired with a new transponder.

There is also an Apollo MX20 moving map, that can replace the weather-radar dummy.

The headline tease is a retrofitted Collins EFIS, EADI and EHSI, with matching control panels, plus an accompanying autopilot, and VNAV (descent) support. The EFIS is optional, and can be toggled on the clipboard, for those who prefer the classic six-pack.

Focus #2

The second post dives deeper. That TCAS-equipped VSI and its transponder can be enabled in the base 727, once the Super27 is installed. An auto-spoiler arm feature is also included in the upcoming package. Radio-nav fans get dual DME recievers, enabling proper cross-bearing fixes, without a map.

The EFIS fit is specified as a Rockwell Collins EFIS-86C. The EADI provides flight-director commands, mode annunciations, speed cues, and deviation scales. The EHSI, meanwhile, offers a compass rose, expanded, and map-with-route views, with ranges up to 600 NM, and selectable data such as wind and groundspeed.

Tying it together is a Collins APS-85 autopilot, available with the EFIS, and dual GNS-XLS FMS. Mode selection sits on the glareshield, with sensible fallbacks, to roll hold and vertical speed. Lateral capability runs from heading and NAV tracking to CAT II approaches. Vertically, expect pitch and VS modes, SPEED, with IAS/Mach logic, altitude hold and capture, VNAV path following from the FMS, and a yoke-triggered go-around mode. 

The Super27 expansion is an add-on to the existing 727. You need the base package, and the expansion covers passenger and freighter variants you already own. FlightSim Studio furthermore says video previews are imminent. A release window has not been given.

For the full details, visit this link, for Focus #1, or this link, for Focus #2.

For all the latest news and updates, stay tuned on Threshold!

If you enjoy our content and want to support Threshold, consider joining us on Patreon!

‍