Supercritical Simulations Group (SSG) has taken to their Facebook page to announce a new update coming to their 747-8 for X-Plane 11.

Starting off the announcement, the developer stated “We have been working on it (the update) for some time, but the biggest change is a complete rewrite of the plugin that handles the FMS, navigation display and autoflight.”

According to the developer, the reason for the rewrite of these systems is to improve performance. This “represents a constant effort on our part and promises to bring performance improvements to all customers who are using Vulkan/Metal. We would rather underpromise and overdeliver, but we have seen some dramatic improvements when testing it internally and during the beta that is currently in progress.”

There are a plethora of new additions and fixes coming to the aircraft with this update, with the developer stating, keep “in mind that some things may be added or removed from this list as our internal deadline approaches.” You can view the full changelog below.

Systems:

• Addition of the Ram Air Turbine (RAT)
• Improved cockpit callout sounds
• Implementation of true “cold and dark” setup with everything off
• Improved fuel loading/usage logic
• Slats retracting with reverse thrust
• More accurate speedbrake/spoiler action and animation
• Separate controls and settings for wipers
• Added EICAS messages for configuration warnings
• Additional button animations to reflect operation of real ones
• Improved tablet
• Flap 1 setting logic fixed
  

FMC/ND/Autoflight:

• Improved terrain display
• Increased number of FMC legs pages to avoid ROUTE FULL message
  

3D/Textures:

• Overall improvement in external model with added details (some animated) and some fixes
• Blocking of some windows on the Intercontinental
• Fixed some windows that had artifacts in cabin looking out
• Fix of landing gear coming into cabin when gear is retracted
• Improved lighting in Freighter and Intercontinental
• Reflections inside cockpit windows
• Shows a full 3D cargo load at maximum load weights
• Fixes to “marching ants” visible in some areas
• Fix to Freighter SCD interior texture
• Added crew rest area with opening door (Inter)
• Added cockpit lavatory with opening door (Inter)
• Pilot figures
• Particle effect improvements

SSG’s 747 is available for purchase from the X-Plane.org store for $80.00.

No release date was mentioned by the developer, though they did state “let’s just say that it won’t be very long, measured in weeks rather than months” in regards to the date of their internal deadline.

You can view the source post for this article on the developer’s Facebook page.