We’ve got a new developer update from Black Square on their in-development Beechcraft Duke series aircraft. The project promises to give us a very detailed simulation of this aircraft and recent work on the project has added even more layers of simulation. Here’s what we know from the latest developer update.

Additional feature work

Black Square are hard at work to get their rendition of the Beechcraft Duke ready for Microsoft Flight Simulator release.

One of the features detailed in today’s update is work on making the aircraft respond and react to colder weather. It started with work for engine pre-heaters but the work has since spread to the entire rest of the aircraft. Even instrument needles have stiction and friction are affected by cold temperatures in the cabin. You may even need to tap on the glass to free them.

There’s also new panel options to match various upholstery packages covering time periods from the 1970s through 2000s. Each reportedly has a different level of cleanliness too.

Another notable new feature is enhanced modeling for the turbine engine simulation. The simulation now reportedly accounts for the operations of the bleed valves on the engines which, as a result, also means more possible areas of failure.

Road to release

Those anxiously awaiting the release of these aircraft can rest a little easier now as we know that Black Square and Just Flight are plotting to make them available in the first half of April. The aircraft will be sold separately or together in a bundle.

In the lead-up to the release, videos demonstrating the various features of the aircraft will be coming out together with more screenshots and the full manual.

Read the full update right here.