Airfoil Labs has published a new development update for their upcoming 737 MAX in X-Plane 12, showcasing several advancements across avionics, cockpit 3D modeling, and flight systems.
Flight Management System (FMS)
Arrivals Page
The ARRIVALS page in the Flight Management Computer (FMC) now uses a left-to-right STAR and transition workflow, reducing the possibility of errors and speeding up constraint checks.
Vertical Situation Display (VSD)
The Vertical Situation Display has also received several major upgrades. The destination runway is now drawn on the profile, approach glideslope and minimum-altitude gates are displayed for easier approach planning, and terrain depiction has been improved to provide better readability, especially near step-downs and the final approach fix (FAF).
Primary Flight Display (PFD) & HSI Improvements
According to Airfoillabs, the glass cockpit suite is nearing completion, with the PFD and Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) now rendering essentially all relevant symbology and data for normal operations. This includes failure flags, annunciators, and validity cues. Edge cases, like attitude or LOC/GS flags during rapid mode changes, have been polished to appear and clear correctly.
Navigraph Navigation Data Integration
Support for Navigraph global navdata is now built in, keeping procedures aligned with current AIRAC cycles. Improvements made in collaboration with Navigraph relating to the parsing of data have eliminated discontinuities that may arise on complex transitions, resulting in smoother, more reliable routing.
3D Cockpit Previews
The aft overhead panel now features complete animations and manipulators, with accurate travel in buttons, detents in knobs, and a tactile response in both 2D and VR.
The Mode Control Panel (MCP) is also complete. All switches, knobs, and number windows operate with correct logic. A custom designed pixel-sharp font ensures clear digits at all zoom levels, while knob detents and acceleration feel true to life.
Autopilot and Autothrottle
Development has moved from front-end MCP work to a study-level Autopilot Flight Director System (AFDS) with integrated Autothrottle behind the scenes. Current features include LNAV, VNAV, level change, vertical speed, and full approach modes with LOC and G/S coupling. Dual-channel Autoland with flare, retard, and rollout is in progress.
Protections against overspeed and minimum-speed, as well as Boeing’s two-press go-around logic, are also being implemented.
Next Steps & Closing Notes
Short-term goals are mostly autopilot-related, they include expanding LNAV and VNAV capture logic, refining ALT and SPD intervention, and polishing approach coupling. Autothrottle development will continue with mode logic, lever physics, and split throttle detection.
The September Development Update shared on the X-Plane.org Forums provided a comprehensive insight into the development. Feel free to ask questions or leave your feedback under the original post, where you’ll also find more videos and insights into the process.
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