Stormbirds Blog

Round-up: Aircraft updates, sales, podcast episodes and reveals for MSFS, X-Plane and DCS World! Yes, that's right, its time for another news round-up. There's been a ton of updates coming out from developers recently so here are some of the highlights you might want to know such as the status of SimWorks Studios PC-12 Legacy model, an update for the free E-Jets series from X-Craft, IndiaFoxtEcho MSFS Typhoon updates, a podcast appearance by Heatblur earlier in October talking about all of their products (including the DCS Typhoon), FSS AG's 727 updates, a surprising new aircraft reveal from Octopus G, CowanSim S76 update, and even more from the likes of inBuilds, MicroProse, and A2A.

Round-up: Aircraft updates, sales, podcast episodes and reveals for MSFS, X-Plane and DCS World!

Yes, that's right, its time for another news round-up. There's been a ton of updates coming out from developers recently so here are some of the highlights you might want to know such as the status of…

DCS hotfix issued, C-130J status update and yes your F-4 Phantom is having a spooky moment It's Friday and that means another DCS World Weekend news update. This time around we have a few updates on a hot fix, a quick update on the DCS: C-130J project and there is a ghost in the machine this Halloween... for the F-4 Phantom. Let's talk! Hotfix An important hotfix has been issued for DCS World earlier this week. The fix specifically targets some crashing issues with the Mi-24P and F-14.

DCS hotfix issued, C-130J status update and yes your F-4 Phantom is having a spooky moment

It's Friday and that means another DCS World Weekend news update. This time around we have a few updates on a hot fix, a quick update on the DCS: C-130J project and there is a ghost in the machine this…

1CGS Brief Room episode focuses on Siege and Liberation’s maps, plus Yak-9P cockpit renders Two new updates from 1C Game Studios coming in over the last couple of days with a new IL-2 Korea update focused on the Yak-9P with pre-rendered shots of that cockpit fully textured up. We also have Brief Room Episode 34 which is focused on the maps of Siege and Liberation. Both Odessa and Finish Gulf maps have been in development for a very long period of time but are coming together now for this release.

1CGS Brief Room episode focuses on Siege and Liberation’s maps, plus Yak-9P cockpit renders

Two new updates from 1C Game Studios coming in over the last couple of days with a new IL-2 Korea update focused on the Yak-9P with pre-rendered shots of that cockpit fully textured up. We also have Brief…

Congratulations to Skyward on their 500 post milestone!

Lives up to the legend? Yak-3 for IL-2 review Yet another legendary fighter has been added to the IL-2 Great Battles Series. The Yakovlev Yak-3 is quite an impressive fighter in the history books and having this variant of the Yak series of fighters added to the sim has been on the wishlists of many over the last several years. Now that it's here, I set out to find out of it lives up to the real world legend.

Lives up to the legend? Yak-3 for IL-2 review

Yet another legendary fighter has been added to the IL-2 Great Battles Series. The Yakovlev Yak-3 is quite an impressive fighter in the history books and having this variant of the Yak series of fighters added to the sim has been on the wishlists of…

Black Square’s Baron and Bonanza Professional are out Circling back around to the beginning of Black Square's arrival on the Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft market, the developer has returned to their original product with a completely redeveloped effort aimed at simulations of the Beechcraft Baron and Bonanza aircraft. Let's have a look at what is on offer! Three variants of each, bundles, more Competition for high fidelity general aviation aircraft has been heating up in recent years and Black Square's latest efforts revisit two aircraft projects that helped propel the developer into one of the more prominent aircraft developers around.

Black Square’s Baron and Bonanza Professional are out

Circling back around to the beginning of Black Square's arrival on the Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft market, the developer has returned to their original product with a completely redeveloped effort aimed at simulations of the Beechcraft…

Octopus G reveals DCS: La-7 testing status in a fun way Some developers write lengthy status updates, others will talk in a video, and on occasion you'll see something a little different. Octopus G, the developer of the DCS: I-16 and work in progress DCS: La-7, has done things a little differently with this latest update. Testing in progress DCS: La-7 has been in development for a few years now. The developer has released periodic updates on the aircraft's status as time has gone on with some of them styled like period news reels.

Octopus G reveals DCS: La-7 testing status in a fun way

Some developers write lengthy status updates, others will talk in a video, and on occasion you'll see something a little different. Octopus G, the developer of the DCS: I-16 and work in progress DCS: La-7, has done things a little differently…

Zeppelin and Western Front map improvements incoming Great news for fans of World War I air combat with a big update for 1C Game Studios Flying Circus. The IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles based add-on is nearly ready to release its Zepplin and Western Front map update. Let's have a look at the details. Airships and map updates and more Flying Circus is the focus of an upcoming IL-2 Great Battles update with the Ugra Media built Western Front map getting a series of updates.

Zeppelin and Western Front map improvements incoming

Great news for fans of World War I air combat with a big update for 1C Game Studios Flying Circus. The IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles based add-on is nearly ready to release its Zepplin and Western Front map update. Let's have a look at the…

Combat Pilot sneak peek D3A and F4F cockpit textures Building an entirely new combat flight simulator from the ground up takes time but, as always, its great to see some progress from the Combat Pilot team. A small sneak peek at some of the latest developer work on cockpit textures has come out from the team on their Discord and I've got some here for you to look at.

Combat Pilot sneak peek D3A and F4F cockpit textures

Building an entirely new combat flight simulator from the ground up takes time but, as always, its great to see some progress from the Combat Pilot team. A small sneak peek at some of the latest developer work on cockpit textures has come out…

Just Flight release PA-28-181 Archer III for X-Plane 12 and 2.2 release of the MSFS F28 is here plus sale Some Just Flight news coming in with the release of the Archer III for X-Plane 12, once again in collaboration with Thranda design, and over on the MSFS side of things we have the F28 Professional coming in with version 2.2 and a 20% off sale. Let's have a look a both pieces of news. Archer III released The next aircraft in Just Flight's ongoing partnership with Thranda Design to bring their back catalogue of general aviation aircraft to X-Plane 12 has just arrive.

Just Flight release PA-28-181 Archer III for X-Plane 12 and 2.2 release of the MSFS F28 is here plus sale

Some Just Flight news coming in with the release of the Archer III for X-Plane 12, once again in collaboration with Thranda design, and over on the MSFS side of things we have the F28…

Got Friends releases A-32 Vixxen for MSFS If light sport aircraft is your think, Got Friends might have something for you. Their new Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen brings this Ukranian designed sport aircraft to life. It's got a bit of bush plane in it, a light sport aircraft at heart, and quite a bit of potential for fun. Let's have a look. Got Friends have done some really interesting aircraft.

Got Friends releases A-32 Vixxen for MSFS

If light sport aircraft is your think, Got Friends might have something for you. Their new Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen brings this Ukranian designed sport aircraft to life. It's got a bit of bush plane in it, a light sport aircraft at heart, and quite a bit of…

The weekly Development Update blog is live now! ✈️

🔗 flightsimulator.com/october-23rd-2025-development-update/

Heatblur Simulations have released their F-14A-135-GR (Early) variant and after just a few minutes with it I'm reminded why DCS: F-14 is such an incredible experience. What a blast! I need to fly it more.

DCS World update brings with it Normandy 2 winter, early F-14A, F-4E, Kola and other updates The latest DCS World update is out and it is full of updates including the addition of the winter season and dozens of other updates for DCS: Normandy 2.0, Heatblur's long awaited F-14A early model, big updates for DCS: Kola, MiG-29A Fulcrum, and other modules too. Let's check out the highlights! Updates are here Most DCS World updates come with a pretty long list of updates and the change log will cover virtually everything adjusted within the sim since the last update.

DCS World update brings with it Normandy 2 winter, early F-14A, F-4E, Kola and other updates

The latest DCS World update is out and it is full of updates including the addition of the winter season and dozens of other updates for DCS: Normandy 2.0, Heatblur's long awaited F-14A early model, big…

IndiaFoxtEcho report big sale coming, status updates on MSFS and DCS products Catching up on some recent (and not so recent) updates from IndiaFoxtEcho. The developer is working on both DCS projects (the G.91 and sustaining the MB.339) as well as working on a Eurofighter for MSFS, supporting the F-14 jointly with Heatblur and working on a follow-up F-16A project and there's also the TA-4J and several other aircraft in the mix.

IndiaFoxtEcho report big sale coming, status updates on MSFS and DCS products

Catching up on some recent (and not so recent) updates from IndiaFoxtEcho. The developer is working on both DCS projects (the G.91 and sustaining the MB.339) as well as working on a Eurofighter for MSFS, supporting the…

VIRPIL reveals new Grip and pre-orders are open for Cadet Aeromax series Hardware maker VIRPIL has been busy extending out their Cadet Aeromax series of hardware peripherals. All-in-one joysticks, mounts, HOTAS and omni-throttle configurations and also now available - grips. These are priced slightly lower than some of the other options so let's have a look. CDT-AERO Grip The newest bit of news for VIRPIL Controls is that they've released the CDT-AERO grip.

VIRPIL reveals new Grip and pre-orders are open for Cadet Aeromax series

Hardware maker VIRPIL has been busy extending out their Cadet Aeromax series of hardware peripherals. All-in-one joysticks, mounts, HOTAS and omni-throttle configurations and also now available - grips. These are priced…

SimWorks provides status reports on the GA-8, PC-12, and more A pair of updates in the last couple of days have given us some updated insights into how things are going with SimWorks Studios. The latest updates are focused on the GA-8 Airvan and on the PC-12 with good news for fans of both aircraft. Airvan update SWS are reporting good progress with the GA-8 Airvan. The aircraft is available for MSFS 2020 and a new update headed to the marketplace will fix several reported bugs, brings an automatic stepping system to the FS450 and allows for manual fuel-on-board reset like the totalizer in the PC-12.

SimWorks provides status reports on the GA-8, PC-12, and more

A pair of updates in the last couple of days have given us some updated insights into how things are going with SimWorks Studios. The latest updates are focused on the GA-8 Airvan and on the PC-12 with good news for fans of both…

Flight Journal: First impression of Microprose’ early access B-17G for Microsoft Flight Simulator MicroProse have thrown their hat into the ring of Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft development with a series that they are calling the Heritage Valor Collection. Their first aircraft, almost by default, had to be the Boeing B-17 and that's exactly what has been delivered. The early access version of B-17G for MSFS is available and I've just had my first flight with it.

Flight Journal: First impression of Microprose’ early access B-17G for Microsoft Flight Simulator

MicroProse have thrown their hat into the ring of Microsoft Flight Simulator aircraft development with a series that they are calling the Heritage Valor Collection. Their first aircraft, almost by…

X-Craft’s updates E-Jets 2 series to support X-Plane’s new radar system plus updated roadmap for 2026 Fans of X-Plane probably already know that their weather focused development efforts have netted some new features that aircraft can take advantage of. One of those features is onboard weather radar which is now available on X-Crafts' E-Jets. Let's have a look. New version, new radar! X-Plane's newly updated weather systems are being taken advantage of by aircraft developers and one of them, X-Crafts, have just taken those features and added it to their E-Jets V2 series.

X-Craft’s updates E-Jets 2 series to support X-Plane’s new radar system plus updated roadmap for 2026

Fans of X-Plane probably already know that their weather focused development efforts have netted some new features that aircraft can take advantage of. One of those features is onboard weather…

Flight Journal: Previewing the Got Friends Aeroprakt A-32 on flights around the world I've been flying high performance jet fighters and air liners an awful lot recently. How about changing things up into something simpler? Enter Got Friends and their still in beta testing Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen simulation. This small trainer and light sport aircraft is currently in development by the group but they were nice enough to send me a preview to test out.

Flight Journal: Previewing the Got Friends Aeroprakt A-32 on flights around the world

I've been flying high performance jet fighters and air liners an awful lot recently. How about changing things up into something simpler? Enter Got Friends and their still in beta testing Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen…

IL-2 Korea’s F-86 cockpit begins to come together, plus animations focused video Catching up on a couple of news items surrounding IL-2 Korea. The first one is today's developer diary that shows off the F-86 Sabre's cockpit. Its a pre-render but you can see all of the details that have gone into the model and texture work. Then, we go back several days and catch up on the last Brief Room episode where animations take centre stage.

IL-2 Korea’s F-86 cockpit begins to come together, plus animations focused video

Catching up on a couple of news items surrounding IL-2 Korea. The first one is today's developer diary that shows off the F-86 Sabre's cockpit. Its a pre-render but you can see all of the details that have gone into…

DCS: Normandy 2.0 and La-7 updates A few DCS World news items coming at us as we head into the weekend. The first is news that DCS: Normandy 2.0 is about to exit early access as third party map developer Ugra Media report that their early access plans are nearly complete. The map is picking up various improvements and winter textures. There's also a small update from Octopus G, working on the DCS: La-7, with news on that project.

DCS: Normandy 2.0 and La-7 updates

A few DCS World news items coming at us as we head into the weekend. The first is news that DCS: Normandy 2.0 is about to exit early access as third party map developer Ugra Media report that their early access plans are nearly complete. The map is picking up…

Just Flight F28 v2.2 features and sale, plus Black Square Baron and Bonanza Professional updates For those of you waiting for updates to the Black Square analogue series, good news is here with the product pages, prices and discount details for prior owners on the entirely new Professional series by Black Square. These replace the upgrades of 2020 default aircraft with an entirely separate product line. Meanwhile, Just Flight's in-house development team are unveiling a version 2.2 update for the Fokker F28 Professional with a bunch of new features.

Just Flight F28 v2.2 features and sale, plus Black Square Baron and Bonanza Professional updates

For those of you waiting for updates to the Black Square analogue series, good news is here with the product pages, prices and discount details for prior owners on the entirely new Professional series…

Combat Pilot dev update focuses on textures, refraction, and carrier update Jason Williams and the Combat Pilot team are back with a new developer diary focusing in on a few different items. Whatever you choose to call them, be it external textures, skins or liveries, are part of the fabric of most flight sims and we learn a bit about how Combat Pilot is going about it. There's also some new images of the IJN Hiryū and there's a discussion and video about refraction.

Combat Pilot dev update focuses on textures, refraction, and carrier update

Jason Williams and the Combat Pilot team are back with a new developer diary focusing in on a few different items. Whatever you choose to call them, be it external textures, skins or liveries, are part of the fabric of…

Aerosoft and ToLiss 340-600 Pro developer video provides an update on the project Genuine surprise emerged during Flight Sim Expo 2025 when we learned that industry veteran, Aerosoft, was partnering with ToLiss an X-Plane 12 developer, to bring an Airbus A340-600 simulation to Microsoft Flight Simulator. A new video posted a couple of days ago gives us a look at how things are progressing and how Aerosoft and ToLiss got to this point.

Aerosoft and ToLiss 340-600 Pro developer video provides an update on the project

Genuine surprise emerged during Flight Sim Expo 2025 when we learned that industry veteran, Aerosoft, was partnering with ToLiss an X-Plane 12 developer, to bring an Airbus A340-600 simulation to Microsoft Flight…

Fly the Fortress with MicroProse and their new B-17G for Microsoft Flight Simulator Highly coveted in the flight simulation world, the B-17 Flying Fortress is a legendary aircraft and a complicated airplane to simulate. MicroProse, with ample numbers of B-17 products out in other categories, probably make sense as the developer to deliver a Flying Fortress to Microsoft Flight Simulator and it comes to us as part of their Heritage Valor Collection. Let's have a look.

Fly the Fortress with MicroProse and their new B-17G for Microsoft Flight Simulator

Highly coveted in the flight simulation world, the B-17 Flying Fortress is a legendary aircraft and a complicated airplane to simulate. MicroProse, with ample numbers of B-17 products out in other categories,…

It's Thanksgiving here in Canada so blog updates have been slow but I'm working away on some reviews right now including big ones for the PMDG 777 and I'm looking to finish up my VIRPIL Cadet Aeromax review. Stay tuned!

Microsoft and Asobo Q&A and reveal details behind T-38, Boom Supersonic, Red Bull Racing and more in the latest Dev Stream A few days ago we had the October 2025 Developer Stream from Microsoft and Asobo. We had questions answered, new products revealed, and lots of details on all kinds of different items. The T-38, Boom XB-1, Red Bull racing, updates on the old Reno racing, the ATR update, career mode, EC-135 helicopter update, all new Avidyne avionics, and even the An-225 gets a mention.

Microsoft and Asobo Q&A and reveal details behind T-38, Boom Supersonic, Red Bull Racing and more in the latest Dev Stream

A few days ago we had the October 2025 Developer Stream from Microsoft and Asobo. We had questions answered, new products revealed, and lots of details on all kinds of…

IL-2 Finnish Gulf map update focuses in on wartime Lenningrad We've got a new developer update for the IL-2 Great Battles Series and this one is focused on the work being done by third-party Finnish map team KarttaKomppania (if you want a refresher, check out my Q&A with the group). Their work on the Finnish Gulf map is a big piece of the Siege and Liberation update and we've go an official update on the latest efforts.

IL-2 Finnish Gulf map update focuses in on wartime Lenningrad

We've got a new developer update for the IL-2 Great Battles Series and this one is focused on the work being done by third-party Finnish map team KarttaKomppania (if you want a refresher, check out my Q&A with the group). Their work on…

DCS Kola map updates are coming This Friday's DCS World update was a small one with the biggest news being focused around development work on DCS: Kola. Let's have a look at what's in store for that map. Updates continue DCS: Kola continues to see updates as the map has emerged from its early access period. Many of the promised early access features, such as winter textures and additional airfields, have been added and there's more to come as this new development update indicates.

DCS Kola map updates are coming

This Friday's DCS World update was a small one with the biggest news being focused around development work on DCS: Kola. Let's have a look at what's in store for that map. Updates continue DCS: Kola continues to see updates as the map has emerged from its early…