Just Flight has revealed new previews of their upcoming Airbus A300B4 rendition for Microsoft Flight Simulator, this time with focus on the instrument panels. The A300 family is one of the most pivotal airliners in the aviation industry. Just Flight aims to bring the legacy back to the Microsoft Flight Simulator world and to enthusiastic flight simmers.
A300B4 Panel Showcases:
The Main Instrument Panel
The first part of the announcement starts with the A300B4’s notablely large blue and black Attitude and Directional Indicators (ADIs). These indicators are central to the aircraft’s design, offering a clear and logical layout. Moving further in the panel, surrounding the ADIs are a suite of familiar flight and navigation instruments, each crafted with precision. This includes the airspeed indicator, the altimeter and the other key instruments a pilot would require for navigation.
From the screenshots, we can observe Just Flight’s effort to accurately model the A300B4’s instruments. This was achieved by utilizing textures from real-world photos. Thus ensuring that every scale, font, and detail is true to the actual aircraft. Furthermore, this would also include the animation of digits, needles, and flags, down to the tiny wires that secure the warning flags.
Centre Instrument Panel and Master Warning Panel
Moving our attention to the central instrument panel and master warning panel, we can see that the dominating feature is the detail done on the engine panels and warning panel. This area can be characterized by its authentic wear and tear. With each indicator exhibiting varying levels of use and the text showing inconsistent lighting. This realistic depiction contributes to the overall feel of a well-used aircraft.
Moreover, the centre panel also houses the main engine gauges, the N1 limit take-off computer, and the mechanical indicators for flap and flight control positions. On the right side of the picture, we can also slightly see the landing gear lever, the instrument for the rudder and stabiliser trim, and the flap speed limit indicator. Towards the bottom of the panel, we can also see the auto-brake selector buttons. With all the elements being modelled with high fidelity.
Glareshield Panel, Specifically The AFCS Panel
The final panel that was showcased was the glareshield panel, specifically the Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) panel. The panel features a white piano key-style levers for master switches, large pushbuttons that light up when selected, and selector knobs with mechanical drum window displays for altitude and airspeed settings. From what we can observe, each component has been individually textured. Showing signs of wear and tear will add to the overall immersion in the A300B4 for MSFS.
Finally, the last feature covered in this update is the colourful grid of captions below the AFCS panel, also known as the Flight Performance Indicator (FPI). This display provides real-time information on the armed or active modes selected on the AFCS panel, which is crucial for pilots to monitor during flight.
Overall, Just Flight’s commitment to detail is evident in this comprehensive update of the A300B4’s main instrument panel. The development team’s efforts will ensure that the virtual cockpit provides a realistic and immersive experience for all virtual pilots.
This update shows the current progress of the addon’s development. You can find the full announcement history of the project on Just Flight’s website. If you are interested in the previous A300B4 article covering the announcement of the project, do check out this article here. For any other flight simulator-related news, check out our articles here.
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