Working Title’s highly-anticipated Aircraft & Avionics Update 2 (AAU2) for Microsoft Flight Simulator is now available in beta. Simmers who wish to try out the new wave of enhancements for the 787-10 and 747-8i long-haulers can now see what the fuss is all about, ahead of the planned release date in June.
AAU2 was announced earlier this month during the latest Developer Stream from the MSFS team. Following the release of AAU1 earlier this year, which focused on improving the default avionics and some aircraft like the TBM 930 and the Cessna Longitude, the Working Title team is now bringing a plethora of upgrades focused on the 787-10 and 747-8i.
These enhancements include a vast number of much-needed upgrades such as complete LNAV, featuring RF legs and intricate procedures, full RNAV & RNP, IAN, and performance-based VNAV. In addition, both aircraft now boast an improved suite of performance-based data and features, including takeoff and landing V Speed computations, support for ECON and cost-index, and optimised fuel predictions.
As well as these updates, the 787 and 747 models have been revamped to more closely align with their real-world counterparts. This is particularly notable in the 787, which now features an overhauled HUD, complete with runway outlines and HUD Takeoff mode, to facilitate low/zero visibility operations.
Moreover, the 787 will boast a full display pane system and a new fly-by-wire system that replicates the unique C*U law used in Boeing aircraft. The Working Title team also added a cherry on top by updating the sounds to more accurately capture the distinctive Trent 1000 whine of the 787.
In terms of system operations, AAU2 promises a significant reduction in INOP buttons and switches, offering a more faithful representation of pilot interactions during normal operations. It should be noted, however, that third-party feature support like SimBrief import and chart support will still rely on the community due to legal restrictions.
The release notes shared by Microsoft provide an extensive list of changes that extend beyond the 747 and 787, with fixes for the Garmin G3000 / G5000, Garmin GNS430W / GNS530W, and WT21. Among these are fixes for visual inaccuracies, navigation issues, and autopilot/flight director HDG mode adjustments.
Despite these strides in realism and accuracy, the developers acknowledge a few known limitations. Environmental Control Systems (Air Conditioning) are still a work in progress, and the 787’s EFB for performance calculations is not yet available. The 747’s electrical transfer busses powering other main busses and fuel system overhaul are also still in progress.
The AAU2 update also brings a few corrections to other aircraft, like the Cessna Citation Longitude and the Daher TBM 930, which were the target of Aircraft and Avionics Update 1.
The AAU2 beta flighting update (1.33.3.0) is now available for MS Store, Steam, and Xbox users, with a full release scheduled for June 23rd.
RELEASE NOTES 1.33.3.0
Glass Cockpits
Garmin G3000 / G5000
Fixed a bug where removing the traffic and relative terrain indicators from the navigation map would leave behind an empty but visible container
Fixed a bug where TAWS touchdown callouts were not using nearest runway elevation
Fixed a small inaccuracy in the lateral deviation scale above the PFD HSI Map
The autopilot/flight director HDG mode now only reverses turn direction if the selected heading is turned past 330 degrees away from the airplane’s current heading
Garmin GNS430W / GNS530W
Fixed some page navigation issues where the right knob push would not close dialogs
WT21
PFD: Fixed an issue where the wind indicator would spin to the wrong direction
FMS: Fix edge case when inserting waypoint at end of flight plan
FMS: Fix default hold inbound course to match previous leg outbound course
Aircraft
Boeing 787-10 / Boeing 747-8i
Comprehensive visual overhaul of the avionics for accurate font, symbology, look, operation, and feel
Visually accurate PFD supporting rising runway indication, ILS symbology, FPV and much more
Independent MFD/ND/CDU Screens supporting view pane system management
CDU supporting advanced flight plan management and performance initialization features
Advanced flight plan support, including arcs, radius-to-fix, intercepts, holds, procedure turns, and missed approaches
Alternate diversions with customizable profiles for the predictions of ETA, distance and fuel remaining to multiple airports
Integrated checklists on the MFD
Full synoptics pages indicating status of their respective systems
Reworked EICAS supporting full engine indication display and a whole suite of CAS messages
Performance based VNAV with idle descent capabilities considering aircraft state, temperature and wind forecast
Advanced VNAV configuration with ECON/selected modes, configuration of speed restrictions and speed transitions
Fully featured autothrottle system with correct AT modes/functionality and communication to and from the FMS
Thrust management system supporting cost index, thrust limitation and assumed temperature derate
Fully featured autopilot including AUTOLAND, FLARE and ROLLOUT modes
Integrated Approach Navigation (IAN) functionality and indications for straight-in non-precision approaches
RNP/ANP indications
TCAS II system supporting traffic advisories and RA indications on the ND
Revised Engine and Flight Model bringing many values closer to book, fuel consumption, engine power settings, climb rates, speeds, and attitudes
Fuel System overhaul supporting proper pump operation on APU Start
Support for Hydraulic Demand pumps
Overhaul of electrical system with correct bus connection logic and adjusted power consumption
Functional GPS and IRS navigation systems
Added more functionality to the overhead panels with accurate indications on the electrics, hydraulics, fuel and ECS panels
Adjusted overhead panels logic and lighting accordingly
787: Revision of the plane’s soundscape
787: Overhauled HUD supporting nearly all real-world symbology, including both Full and Decluttered modes, runway edge lines, FPV acceleration and speed error indications, TOGA and G/S reference lines, and unusual attitudes
787: New fly-by-wire system simulating the authentic C*U law with trim speed unique to Boeing aircraft
Known Limitations:
Both: Environmental Control Systems (Air Conditioning) are work in progress and Synoptics for those are disabled right now
787: EFB for performance calculations not yet available. Calculations happen on the CDU
747: Pedestal CDU (3rd) mirrors the left CDU for performance reasons
747: Electrical transfer busses powering other main busses
747: Fuel System overhaul in progress. Synoptics disabled
Cessna Citation Longitude
Fixed thrust reverser animations so that the buckets are only shown as deployed when reverse thrust is actually engaged
Added mitigation to prevent the engine and APU graphics on the Fuel, Hydraulics, ECS, and Anti-Ice Synoptic Panes from rendering incorrectly
The rudder can now be powered by both the A and B hydraulic systems and no longer requires the left engine to be running
Bearing Pointer information is no longer missing when the PFD is in Split mode
Fixed improper placement of the NAV/DME information banner when the PFD was in Split mode
Fixed a bug where Bearing Pointer 2 information was displayed in the incorrect location when Bearing Pointer 1 was turned off
Changing the selected airspeed while autothrottle is on no longer causes the autothrottle to command sudden changes in throttle lever position
Added support for the dual-cue flight director format
The PFD roll indicator no longer renders the roll scale arc
Daher TBM 930
The minimums alerter now works correctly when using radio minimums