Supercritical Simulations Group has released an update for their 747-8. The update will bring pilots improved FPS for Vulkan/Metal, alongwith improved visuals; new custom-designed external lighting and the addition of a RAT. Since the formation of Supercritical Simulations Group back in 2011, they have supplied the community with 2 main aircraft; The E-jets Series and the 747-8. These aircraft have been frequently updated since release and SSG’s latest product in development is the CRJ-700 for X-Plane 11, you can read more about the CRJ-700 in the previous article.

Here is a summarised feature list highlighting some of the features:

External Visuals

• FPS improvements in modern graphic APIs; Vulkan/Metal
• Revised external model with UV fixes
• Newly modelled details added across the aircraft
• Completely new PBR textures
• New custom-designed external lighting
• Added working Ram Air Turbine (RAT) and logic/systems
• Added electrical system dependency to certain cargo door operations
• Further detailing of Landing Gear modelling
• Improved particle system

Cockpit Visuals

• Improved lighting
• Fixed CDU and general instrument brightness
• Added crew lavatory and. crew rest to Pax version
• Further texture fixes
• Added more button sounds and animations

Systems

• Added RAT to the hydraulic system.
• Added second GPU for better system behaviour
• Updated the automatic connection between electrical sources and bus ties
• Updated fuel, hydraulic, electrical, and other synoptic pages
• Improved the EICAS advisory message behaviour and reset button function
• Added/revised fuel advisory message
• Added emergency lights message
• Fixed engine #3 starting/shutdown logic
• Fixed and revised the external lights system and its power sources
• Updated behaviour of the leading edge flaps and spoilers/speed brakes
• Added pitch limit indicators to PFD
• Added fuel and electrical dependencies
• Updated wiper system
• Updated some system sounds + new sounds
• Fixed some manipulators such as vertical speed dial and autopilot disengage
• Fixed flaps up command for VREF + 100

FMS  

• Increased the route legs list to 25 pages.
• Improved RTE 1 and RTE 2
• Improved Navigation Display (ND)
• Improved VNAV and LNAV logic
• Fixed throttles when advanced
• Fixed a bug that when STAR was changed, LNAV control was negatively affected
• Fixed an error where the magenta track was off centre when the ND range was set at less than 2.5 miles
• Fixed error when autopilot changed from FLCH to V/S mode etc
• New ND terrain display with automatic terrain detection
• Improved holds to be more accurately flown
• Fixed airways entering, which was not recognised in some situations
• Improved the FD bars to be more accurate during takeoff and prior to autopilot mode connection
• Improved steps as displayed on ND in MAP mode
• Added green range arc during the climb
• Fixed Index page with LK6 opening an incorrect page
• Fixed some STARs that did not appear in the last DEP/ARR pages
• Fixed the autopilot not following some SIDs properly
• Improved stability with strong crosswinds

Tablet

• Fixed some click areas
• Improved fuel load sequence to match real loading behaviour
• Added cargo lightbox switches for Freighter
• Added "Cold and Dark"

Current users of the SSG 747-8 can update their aircraft in the SkunkCraft Updater. If you're interested in getting the aircraft, the SSG 747-8 is priced at $48 and can be purchased from the X-Plane.Org Store. For the full announcement and feature list, visit the Forum Thread.

Thanks to Cameron for tipping us off with the update in the Threshold Discord Server