Plenty of Microsoft Flight Simulator news to report on today with the arrival of the second Aircraft & Avionics Update (A&AU) and some relatively significant updates for the ATR airliner. There’s also a big presentation scheduled at FSExpo tomorrow that you’re going to want to know about. Let’s check it all out!

Aircraft & Avionics Update 02 arrives

Microsoft Flight Simulator’s 747 and 787 are on the receiving end of some significant updates thanks to the team at Working Title. The patch notes are lengthy but can be sumarized as a comprehensive overhaul and rebuilding of the avionics on both the 747-8i and 787-10 Dreamliner.

After a couple of rounds of beta testing, the AAU02 update is now here and it should be transformative to the two airliners.

That’s not the only thing listed in the patch notes as the Garmin G3000 / G500, G1000Nxi, GNS430W, GNS530W, and KAP140 are all listed as reciving updates big and small. So too are the avionics in the Cessna Citation Latitude and CJ4. In short, this update provides a significant series of fixes and overhauls to nearly every Microsoft Flight Simulator airplane. The patch notes can be read here.

ATR gets an update

Microsoft’s first “expert series” airplane, the ATR 42/600 and 72/600 has received a relatively substantial update bringing it up to version 1.0.20. The ATR receives new liveries, SimBrief support, dozens of fixes, VOR and NDB entry abilities for the flight plan, and more.

Here’s the complete list of changes as reported in this forum thread:

• Added the Highline liveries for the ATR 42 and ATR 72
• Added support for importing flight plans from SimBrief
• The EFB can be used for loading the aircraft
• Added code for diffuse light in cargo hold
• Fixed converting passenger number into pounds
• Slowed down IAS mode pitch change
• Fixed switching lateral AFCS mode cancelling vertical AFCS mode
• Added support for HOLD THROTTLE REVERSE THRUST event
• Fixed Propeller NP remains at 100%
• Fixed FD pitch indication inverted
• Added bearing pointers smoothing and added navaid variance based on signal strength
• Added smoothing to PFD CDI indication
• Fixed Boost can be activated on ground at PL over flight idle
• Fixes to checklist automation
• Added End of Climb/Descent symbol in ND map
• Fixed batteries charging when charger is switched off
• Fixed electrical system starting up after MFC 1B/2B test instead of 1A/2A
• Fixed service door test using main door status.
• Fixed generators and hydraulics state on loading aircraft
• Fixed NEW WPT on LTRL REV page inserted waypoint at wrong position
• Fixed Go Around pitch command
• Added VORs and NDBs to manual flightplan entries
• Added VORs and NDBs to Direct To Ident function
• Fixed throttle advancing to flight idle on first press of A button when no reverse axis is defined
• Fixed External power worked without battery switch being ON
• Fixed Fuel Flow page showing fuel used instead of fuel flow total
• Improved AFCS mode change when switching nav source
• Fixed MFD VCP SQ Code not showing leading zeros
• Fixed Hotel mode/External power not charging batteries
• Fixed caution light not illuminating on start up
• Added WPT field function to POS INIT page
• Fixed starter not disengaging when engine start is cancelled
• Fixed Payload gross weight calculation
• Fixed V-FP arming and activation
• Fixed Prop Brk READY light illuminated after switching on battery in cold & dark state

FSExpo presentation

Flight Sim Expo begins tomorrow in Houston, Texas! Those in attendance will be able to get the update right from the show floor. For the rest of us, I will be providing virtual coverage throughout the weekend picking up on the major announcements from across the expo.MSFS fans will want to catch the “Upcoming July Updates” presentation by Jorg and Seb from Microsoft and Asobo Studio.

This presentation will be taking place at 1700 CT on Friday (tomorrow!) This is the headliner seminar in our series on the Friday. For those on site, Microsoft Flight Simulator has a 60×20 booth space in the Waltrip Hangar and the team will be there on Saturday and Sunday. Learn more about FSExpo here, check out the floorplan here, and stay tuned for more tomorrow!

Don’t forget to watch the live stream all day too!