FlightSim Studio AG took to their Discord server to announce they have published a new update for their rendition of the Embraer E-Jets series for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. The team has also given us an update for MSFS20204 compatibility and loads of other improvements and fixes have been detailed.
E-Jets Update: What’s new?
New Hydraulics
In the version released before the current one, FSS had added a basic but custom hydraulic system to the E-Jets. This included a ton of features such as separate actuators for each control surface. With the latest version 0.9.34, the team has made lots of improvements to the three-circuit hydraulic system. Each circuit is individually powered by each of the two engines or an electric pump and each circuit provides hydraulic power to specific actuators. To make sure the system functions as intended, simmers need to ensure enough pressure is present in each circuit. The Hydraulic and Flight Control Pages on the MFD have been updated to reflect the new functionalities.
Updated FADEC
The E-Jets have had FADEC or Full Authority Digitial Engine Control implemented in them for quite a while. With this latest version, the FADEC functionality has been updated to now also control reverse thrust operations. This unlocks a new level of realism as the thrust reversers now feel a lot more dynamic. Engine parameters have additionally also been tweaked and bug-fixed for a better overall experience, especially when using the auto thrust system.
Better Hydraulics
The aircraft now also can perform a three-minute Electrical and Hydraulic Power-Up Built-in Test or PBIT. This includes the appropriate EICAS messages and testing process on the corresponding MFD pages. After a successful test, the elapsed time is last PBIT is updated and a new test can be manually triggered when needed. The auto thrust disconnect logic has also been updated to match the real-world systems and the PFD will display GREEN BLINK A/T warning after normal disconnect and AMBER BLINK A/T warning after non normal disconnect.
Taxiing is more accurate
The taxi behavior has also been updated and the aircraft now features more realistic taxi performance. Usually, only 40-45% N1 thrust is required to get the aircraft rolling even when nearing maximum ramp weight. For slopes and turns, additional thrust may be required but idle thrust is enough to maintain 15-20 knots ground speed. In lighter conditions, the aircraft may roll even with no thrust input. Now with both engines running and minimal thrust input of around 30% N1 is enough to get the aircraft rolling. Idle thrust maintains roll and braking is often required to control taxi speed except when on a slope or during a turn.
GSX Pro and Landing Calculator
The latest update also contains GSX Pro integration for easier ground handling such as boarding, refueling, pushback, etc. However, due to the team’s custom Weight & Balance system, the aircraft should only be loaded using the EFB of the aircraft and not using the default MSFS menu or GSX’s menu. The team has also released a standalone application for landing distance calculation for all E-Jets variations based on real-world performance data. They had intended to release it as part of the EFB which would have required lots of UI work and since the team is focused on more important features like the custom LNAV/VNAV, MCDU, and autopilot, they decided to take this path to fulfill the community’s requests.
MSFS2024 Compatibility
The team also mentioned that the aircraft’s compatibility is still being worked on and the adaptation process for MSFS2024 is going well. The team hopes that they will be able to provide us with a free compatibility update before the end of this year. A specific release date regarding compatibility has not been revealed.
E-Jets Status Report
Along with this new update for the aircraft bringing many improvements and fixes, the FSS team has also shared a status/dev update on a few of the more important features that we can expect soon such as the new custom FMC, the Lineage 1000 for XP, and more.
New FMC
The team is hard at work working on the custom FMC and the new autopilot that comes with it. The LNAV module of the aircraft is almost ready to go as much of the work until now has been the complex route-drawing system that takes all the F-PLN waypoints and throws them into a neat line for the flight directors to follow. But this isn’t the tough part as specifics matter and many different types of waypoints and legs are needed to draw out the complex RNAV procedures and approaches common in aviation. Their system can now draw almost every procedure thrown at it correctly.
How the aircraft follows this is also quite important and the code for the autopilot’s LNAV is coming along quite well. It has also been made easier as they already have some foundation from their proven ILS code. Following a line on the ground isn’t what makes this a fully-fledged autopilot and FMS system – the vertical path calculation or VNAV mode is also coming along quite well.
The team has chosen to go with the optional performance-based VNAV system instead of the basic geometric one standard on the Primus system. The system can now accurately and correctly calculate a lot of the path based on performance figures gathered from technicians and pilots. Currently, the entire system only works in their external development application and the system still needs integration into the sim.
It can already be embedded into the aircraft but there is no way to control it without the MCDU which is currently written using JavaScript. The team is now migrating the MCDU code to the C++ language as the FMS is coded in the same language and it would be more efficient. They can’t leave the MCDU alone for the time being as JS and C++ are isolated in the sim and can’t communicate with one another. The migration is well underway as multiple MCDU pages are complete but still needs time and as of now, no progress can be showcased.
Lineage 1000
FSS’s partner X-Crafts, who have also developed and published the E-Jets series but for X-Plane, are working on the Lineage VIP cabin for XP. Their work can be viewed on their various social media channels as well as many flight simulator news sources. Once X-Crafts has completed their work, FSS will receive that model which will then be reworked and retextured to take advantage of in the MSFS engine. This will take some time for the art team to work on.
Closing Notes
Overall a very detailed update from the team over at FlightSim Studio and lots of updates to be expected in the coming weeks. The team has also shared a behind-the-scenes look at their FMS and route drawing along with lots of optimization fixes. The video can be viewed below. The entire changelog for their latest aircraft update version 0.9.34 can be viewed on their blog.
Furthermore, the team has also stated that they now plan to tweak the way they will be publishing dev updates as most readers do not read the entire length of their reports. As such they will just be publishing changelogs for updates as readers skip to that part the most and more in-depth updates regarding all projects will now be shared once every quarter or so.
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