A new month, a new episode of “In the Hangar” has been broadcasted on the FlyByWire Simulations Twitch and YouTube channels. This time, the developer has divided the livestream into two parts – one focusing on the recently announce freeware Airbus A380 rendition that is currently being developed, and the second focusing on the already available A32NX modification for the default Airbus A320 Neo in the Microsft Flight Simulator.
FlyByWire Simulations is a group of developers working on an open-source A32NX modification improving the default aircraft in the Microsoft Flight Simulator as well as on the recently announced study-level freeware Airbus A380 for the same simulator. Anyone can contribute their two cents.
If you want to read through our previous livestream summaries, feel free to do so by visiting our FlyByWire Simulations category archive.
Q: What made you decide to work on an A380?
It took many weeks to make the decision to work on an Airbus A380 rendition for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Based on the words of the developer, it is an iconic and recognizable aircraft within the industry and lacks a proper study-level rendition for flight simulation software.
Q: How do you manage time on both A380 and A32NX development?
When the A380 project was first announced, there was a lot of scepticism going on about how will it affect the A32NX development as it is clear, that developing a study-level aircraft from scratch is not something you could do in a week.
We were reassured in yesterday’s livestream, that while on the A32NX most work is being done with the code, on the A380, the developers are focusing on the modelling and texturing and therefore the teams to do not overlap.
Q: When will the A380 be ready?
As the aircraft was announced just about a week ago, FlyByWire wasn’t able to share an exact release date on the project. It was, however, mentioned, that it will take at least several months to do the modelling, animations, and textures. It is important to keep in mind, that when developing a study-level aircraft, the systems are very important as well and will usually take up the most time.
Q: Is the A32NX beneficial for the development of the A380?
There are some parts of both aircraft that can be shared. The systems are mostly similar and the whole philosophy, as the developer called it, is the same. It was mentioned, that the EFB and the autopilot systems will be shared between the aircrafts, for example, with certain modifications, of course.
Q: Will the A380 be as complex as the A32NX?
Although FlyByWire Simulations is aiming for a study-level rendition of the aircraft, it was made clear, that the A380 will not be as complex as the A32NX when “completed”. The A380 will lack certain features that the A32NX will have though still being study-level. Such as the flight attendance panel or maintenance system, for example.
Q: How do you ensure the realism of the A380?
FlyByWire Simulations is working with real pilots and engineers working on the aircraft to ensure the realism of the addon. The team is as well currently even discussing with Lufthansa option that they would be able to visit their Level D simulator and take pictures and information from there.
Q: Will the external cameras work on the A380?
The developers are looking forward to implementing this feature to the aircraft’s ECAM display. Unfortunately, the current version of the SDK does not allow them to implement it. The team is as well considering implementing the feature to the A32NX when the SDK matures.
Q: Are there any previews of the A380 available?
Yes, a total of five previews showcasing mostly the modelling of the fuselage and cockpit has been presented at the livestream. All five previews can be seen below. Please keep in mind, that the screenshots might not represent the final product.
Q: Will the A380 have a shared cockpit feature?
Yes, that’s the plan. FlyByWire is looking into implementing a shared cockpit feature developed by their new partner – YourControls.
Q: What is the difference between flybywire and other payware developers when developing such aircraft?
It was made clear, that FlyByWire runs on open-source projects and therefore has many developers while other payware development studios such as PMDG or QualityWings have a smaller amount of developers and need to compile their code each time they want to test the aircraft. This is something FlyByWire Simulations does not need to do as their code is open for everyone.
Q: Will the A380 have touch screens?
If the real aircraft has ones and the SDK allows them to be featured in the addon, FlyByWire will have them as well.
Q: Will the autopilot in the A380 be a custom one?
FlyByWire is looking into implementing a custom autopilot to the A380. Though, it will be based on the autopilot system that is currently being worked on for the A32NX. For the A32NX, it was mentioned that the first versions of the custom autopilot system will be coming in a couple of months.
Q: Will there be a custom load manager in the a380?
Yes, there will be a Custom Load Manager in both the A380 and A32NX in the future. You will be able to set the number of passengers, cargo, and fuel, for example.
Q: Can I donate towards the project?
FlyByWire has recently started an Open Collective page for donations to help pay for server costs, development resources, or real simulator rentals, for example. It has been made clear on the stream, that no money contributed to the project will end up in the pocket of one of the developers. Anyone can contribute their two cents on the Open Collective page here.
Q: What is the hardest system to code on the A380?
Based on the developer’s words, the hardest system to code in the aircraft is the autopilot system and essentially the fly-by-wire system. Good knowledge of it is necessary to have those done properly and when people fly the aircraft, they want to have these systems on the level. FlyByWire wants to make these systems properly so people can enjoy flying the aircraft.
Q: Will the A380 be compatible with the TCA Officer Pack?
FlyByWire is aware of the issues with the A32NX controls when using the Thrustmaster TCA Officer Pack, but has, however, made it clear, that it could possibly be an issue on the Asobo side of things rather than theirs. To answer the questions, yes, FlyByWire wants their products to be compatible with the TCA Officer Pack.
Q: Will there be a heads-up display in the A32NX and A380?
Yes, it was mentioned by the developers, that the heads-up display in the aircraft is currently in their plans.
Q: Will the A380 have a 3D cabin?
FlyByWire has here provided the same answer as in the previous livestream saying, that they are looking into implementing a 3D cabin to both the A32NX and A380, however, the performance is the issue. There are currently two options available – modelling the cabin in 3rd person model in which the user would not lose frame rates, but would only see the cabin in certain camera views, and modelling the cabin in 1st person model in which the cabin would be always visible, thus the performance hit would be high.
Q: Which engines will the A380 have?
Rolls-Royce Trent 900
Q: Will there be a failure system on the A380?
It did not take too long for the FlyByWire team to answer this question. Based on what they said, a failure system is a very hard thing to model. Complex cooperation between the aircraft systems is necessary and many pilots can’t answer many questions as it is not a standard procedure to shut down the engines mid-flight just to test how the aircraft behaves. FlyByWire wants to make the failure system as realistic as possible, but it heavily depends on the documentation accessible to them. On this note, FlyByWire is actively seeking for new people to test their products and provide them with the necessary documentation. If you want to apply, you can do so by sending a DM to one of the mods or admins at the FlyByWire Discord server.
Q: Will the A32NX autopilot support “HOLD” function?
Yes, it is in the FlyByWire plans. The feature is highly requested especially by users flying on online networks such as VATSIM or IVAO. It will take a while to implement the function as, as the developer said, “working with the built-in routing systems is a bit of pain“.
Q: Is there an ETA for the EFB for the A32NX?
A lot of work is being done on the user interface and modelling of the EFB (Electronic Flight Bag) for the aircraft. Once that is completed, it’s just about the exporter and adding it to the aircraft. Unfortunately, there is no exporter for the A32NX model yet. FlyByWire can only test the menus, but can’t implement it to the aircraft.
Q: What is the progress on the exporter?
The exporter is mostly done. The developers are currently fixing random issues that are appearing. FlyByWire does not want to set deadlines as everyone works for free. Iceman, the founder of FlyByWire Simulations, has faith in the team.
Q: Is there an ETA on the fly-by-wire system for the A32NX?
There is one guy currently actively working on the fly-by-wire system for the A32NX. The system is very close to being done. However, the custom system is in conflict with the default autopilot system. FlyByWire Simulations team might need to complete the custom autopilot system before implementing the custom fly-by-wire system.
Q: Do you have an ETA for the stable v1 release of the A32NX?
FlyByWire wants the v1.0 stable release to be a plane in a state that it behaves as the real aircraft does. All systems in the aircraft should be fully implemented and working as they do in the real aircraft. This does not only include the autopilot and the fly-by-wire systems, but the hydraulics, or fuel systems as well, for example. As soon as the developers are happy with the state of the aircraft, the stable v1.0 release of the A32NX will be released. The development after that will still continue and the addon will not be forgotten.
Q: Optimization of the A32NX?
FlyByWire is actively changing the code of the aircraft to improve its overall performance. From the technical side, they are reducing the number of calls being sent to the rendering system so the aircraft renders only things that are necessary at the time. When done, this should significantly improve the performance of the aircraft.
Q: Progress on the T/D and T/C?
The community has been asking this since the beginning of the A32NX development. FlyByWire intends to release an update addressing the current issues with the top of descent and top of the climb features in a few months. As one of the developers said, there are no estimates yet to avoid the same events happening as with the Cyberpunk 2077 release that has already been delayed three times.
Q: FlyByWire and FS2Crew cooperation?
FlyByWire was talking to FS2Crew about the possibility of making their products compatible with the aircraft. The priorities for FlyByWire are now different though.
Q: Has FlyByWire been in contact with Asobo in the past month?
In the last Q&A streamed live on the Microsoft Flight Simulator’s Twitch account, Asobo has mentioned, that they want to approach freeware developers. FlyByWire is in contact with Asobo and in process of scheduling a meeting with Asobo hoping to work together.
Q: Will there be other variants of the aircraft available in the future?
Yes, FlyByWire looks forward to adding extensions to the aircraft in the future. Examples were mentioned: A321 NEO, A320, A319, and A321 as well as more engine variants. These are however most-probably coming in the distant future.
There will be more livestreams like this in the future and we’ll cover them too. You can watch the entire stream again here.
