Lunar Simulations, the developers behind the upcoming freeware Boeing 767 for Microsoft Flight Simulator, took to their Discord server earlier this week to share an update on their project. The project has been progressing well and we finally have some news on the product.
Development Partnership
One of the more exciting news shared by Lunar Sim is their new partnership with Delta Simulations. Delta Simulations is the team behind the freeware Boeing C-17 Globemaster III for MSFS. As a result of this partnership, the first variant of the Boeing 767 to be released will be the military KC-46 aerial refueling tanker and military transport aircraft. The Boeing 767-300F freighter variant will be the next release in the lineup. A passenger variant is yet to be confirmed by the team.
This, according to user Technotech who is one of the primary developers, was the best and easiest way forward for the 767. The Boeing 767s will be developed from the KC-46 and not the other way around as is the case with the real-world aircraft. The cockpit of the plane is “measurably functional” and is currently their best way forward given the time, resources, and developers currently at their disposal.
Features to expect
The KC-46 is of course a unique aircraft as a strategic military transport and aerial refueler. The in-sim rendition will have a functional ARO (aerial refueling officer) station and camera for the best possible accuracy within sim limitations. The KC-46 is the version that warrants the partnership with Delta Sim, leveraging their expertise and experience working with military aircraft such as the C-17 and H-60 for the platform.
The interior of the aircraft will be fully textured and modeled making it as accurate to the real-world thing as possible. Texturing is nearly complete for the cargo bays while work on the passenger area and cockpit continues. Lastly in his post, Technotech thanked all the members of the team who are working on the project without whom “this project would simply not exist.”
About the 767
The Boeing KC-46 Pegasus is an American military aerial refueling and strategic military transport aircraft developed by Boeing and derived from its 767 jet airliner. It was selected by the US Air Force to replace their aging KC-135 Stratotankers. The first jet was delivered to the Air Force in January 2019 and another 179 are to be procured by 2027. The aircraft is a combination of the Boeing 767-200ER’s fuselage with the 767-300F’s wing, gear, cargo door, and floor, with the 767-400ER’s digital flight deck and flaps.
The KC-46 also features Boeing’s MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) featured on their 737 MAX aircraft that was responsible for two deadly crashes and its subsequent grounding. This led the USAF to review their KC-46 training and unlike the 737, the KC-46’s MCAS receives input from dual redundant angle of attack sensors and pilot stick input will disengage the system.
The Boeing 767 is a wide-body airliner developed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes and first flew in September 1981. It entered service the following year with United Airlines, and the freighter version, 767-300F, debuted in October 1995. It was developed and marketed for transcontinental routes but as a result of loosening ETOPS regulations, the aircraft started flying transatlantic routes. Delta Air Lines is the largest operator of the aircraft with 77 in its fleet.
Closing Notes
Overall, a very exciting development update from Lunar Simulations regarding their freeware Boeing 767 for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The 767 is a very versatile aircraft and we are looking forward to some cargo ops in MSFS. A release date was not announced as the project still seems to be far from completion. For more flight sim-related news, announcements, releases, and more, do check out our other articles at FSNews.
