Recently, Black Square developer Nick Cyganski took to the Just Flight website to update the community on several of their latest projects for “MSFS 2020, MSFS 2024 and beyond,” a committed term that saw excited reactions and many pleased at the ongoing nature of the developments.
Projects in the works
Nick confirmed that the Baron Professional, Bonanza Professional and Starship have all been very actively progressing since his last major update in mid-November 2024, where several had wondered what the status of these projects was and were eagerly waiting for news.
Black Square ‘Professional’
Black Square is known for its ‘Steam Gauge Overhaul’ series, which proved so popular with those wanting a fully immersive experience for MSFS. Products like the Turbine and Piston Duke for MSFS 2020 have been incredibly well received.
The ‘Black Square Professional’ line is now, it would seem, intended to replace the Steam Gauge Overhaul name to better reflect the level of work that goes into one of these releases. Elements such as custom recorded sounds and redesigned interior models are to be included with some of the Professional offerings, Nick excitedly reveals.
Beechcraft Bonanza Professional
As part of the detailed article, it was shared that the Bonanza Professional will feature three airframe sets with custom exterior models and newer, improved interior models to take advantage of the higher-quality materials Black Square has been working on.
The three different models of Bonanza in the package will have 2000’s era normally-aspirated A36, an aftermarket turbo-normalised A36TC variant and an A36TP PT6A-powered turboprop conversion. All of these will have their own custom sound sets from the well-renowned Boris Audio Works.
Nick assures us that the systems under the hood are significantly more complex and reflective of their real-life counterparts. The packages will include various avionics options, which will fully take advantage of the advances in development featured in the recent Piston and Turbine Dukes.
Beechcraft Baron Professional
Just like the smaller, or as Nick likes to put it, “Compact package” Bonanza, the Baron release will feature all of the benefits we’ve listed above and everything the additional size affords it.
The configurations available will include a 2000’s normally aspirated B58, a 1984 turbocharged Baron 58 TC and, for those who want to go a little bit higher and with a little more flexibility in their flying, a pressurised 58P from 1985.
Black Square was excited to note that the rarer ‘P’ Baron will include its own B58P exterior with a true-to-life smaller cabin entry door, correct-aspect engine nacelles, and other details that will doubtless be appreciated. This reinforces the developer’s effort to get these models just right.
A step forward
Black Square is keen to point out that these aircraft, although previously available as ‘Steam Gauge Overhaul‘ products, are very different in terms of the level of complexity offered.
Nick points out that every detail has been improved, and although some of these are visually obvious details, like external models of power carts and preheaters, the improvement extends far beyond a few additional models.
Instrument needle physics and gyroscope physics represent the detail replicated in these aircraft, which, although smaller than even a commuter airliner, are some of the most complex and comprehensively modelled for the MSFS range.
Both aircraft feature physics-based simulations of the reciprocating engines which Black Square first showcased in the Piston Duke, so you can ‘feel’ the compression of each cylinder as the engine cranks and oil starts to circulate.
Not wanting to leave newer or less experienced virtual pilots behind, the developers are keen to point out that the operations manuals that accompany these aircraft have also grown by around 100 pages each to ensure that a simmer can learn all they need to fully enjoy the product with confidence.
Beechcraft Starship
Leaving the most unique aircraft from the update until last, Nick closed the detailed roundup with some information on the Beechcraft Starship project.
He starts by saying that the development team, featuring Working Title and Matt Nischan, is waiting to record sounds from a real Starship. This hasn’t stopped overall progress, though. A major breakthrough in an MSFS 2024 problem has been resolved, which indicates, in current testing, that a simultaneous launch on both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024 is going to be possible.
Materials have also been reworked, now for the third time, which allows Black Square to show off its latest standards, which it has been developing alongside other projects.
Those excited about the Starship’s release will be pleased to hear that the current estimated release date is still sometime before Flight Sim Expo in June.
MSFS 2024 compatibility
Black Square also took the opportunity to clarify the status of its products regarding the latest platform. The team has been working hard on testing compatibility and performance now that they feel MSFS 2024 is reaching a more reliable level of stability.
The new platform also allows for additional features such as external interactivity zones in pitot covers, door handles and chocks, which they hope will enhance the simulation experience.
The team is turning its attention in the near future to ensuring MSFS 2024 compatibility for its current fleet, although no timescales have yet been decided.
It was also announced that given the latest advances, the team had taken the opportunity to add the latest variant of the GTNxi 750/650 bezels to the Black Square Duke products and TBM 850, which will be available from the next series of updates to those lines.
Feel free to join our Discord server to share your feedback on the article, screenshots from your flights or just chat with the rest of the team and the community. Click here to join the server.
