We have now released version 0.6.4.4 on the beta branch, which is a minor bug-fix update to our recent beta release 0.6.4.3. The summary below is the same as it was for that release, except for some additional bug fixes you'll see below.
We're excited to finally launch a new release on the beta branch! Once you update, you should be on 0.6.4.4.
This new update adds a new aircraft, the Rotorway 162. This popular experimental helicopter is a challenge and joy to fly. We've honed in the flight model thanks to the help of a 10,000+ hour pilot, and it feels a lot like the real thing. All switches/buttons/etc are mapped for VR touch, and the helicopter supports a full startup procedure.
If you have a helicopter flight chair, check out "Settings -> Flight Model -> Helicopter" and uncheck "Auto-Govern Piston Helicopters". In real-life, the 162 doesn't have a governer, and the pilot has to constantly manage the throttle to keep the rotor RPM in range. An already challenging helicopter is now even trickier to fly
In addition we've spent a lot of the time since our last release building new tools. We've built an aircraft SDK (used to create the Rotorway), a C++ SDK, and scenery tools. Although not very exciting on their own, these tools mean a lot for the future of the sim. Throughout February we'll be rolling out samples so that developers can start building their own aircraft. The C++ SDK means we have the tools to start building out more realistic GPSs, proper in-aircraft navigation, etc.
Our release cycle was thrown off due to some unexpected issues adding a single-engine trainer aircraft. We're still working on this and will launch it as soon as we're able, but in the mean-time we won't let it hold up releases. You can expect 1-2 releases a month moving forward. Our focus right now is getting the new simulator developer tools into your hands, so that you can build out your favorite airports or scenery areas (and more).
Improvements in 0.6.4.4:
- Magnetic compasses now show realistic error behavior
- Fixes bug where aircraft would show night lighting during day and day lighting at night
- Fixes bug where B407 would vibrate on the ground causing weird shaking visuals
Improvements in 0.6.4.3:
- Adds new Rotorway 162 helicopter!
- Adds TrackIR support
- Helicopter controls are now properly labeled under "Settings -> Controls" rather than having confusing airplane control names
- Adds support for magnetic vs true heading
- Fixes a couple of scenario errors/failures, scenario 1b is now flyable
- Adds aircraft creation SDK
- Adds C++ API/plugin support
- Adds scenery area creation tools
- Various airport elevation bug-fixes
- Adds option to enable/disable VR yoke grab
- Multiplayer aircraft can now collide with one another
- Various crash-fixes
- Adds new XML tutorial checklist system, improves aircraft charts functionality
- Adds new Leap Motion twist interactor, featured on Rotorway, will work its way out to other aircraft
- VR zoom is now hold to zoom rather than push to toggle zoom
- Adds piston helicopter flight-model
- Fixes bug where scenery sometimes loads as gray, improves scenery initial load time
Opting into Steam Beta:
1. Open Steam
2. Go to the "Library" section
3. Right click on "FlyInside Flight Simulator"
4. Select Properties
5. Go to the "betas" tab
6. From the "Select the beta you would like to opt into:" dropdown, select "beta"
7. Let Steam do its update thing!
Opting into the Website-Version Beta:
1. Turn on Debugging Tools from "Help -> About -> Usage Options"
2. Open "Debugging Tools -> Debug Diagnostics"
3. Expand "Debug Options"
4. For "Updates URL" specify "https://cdn.flyinside-fsx.com/SimLatest.ClosedBeta2/" (the final slash is important)
5. Restart your sim
6. Use "Sim -> Check for Updates" - It should show a prompt for version 0.6.4.4 currently
Thanks,
Malcolm