The developers at Got Friends have a busy schedule coming up for us in the month of July. They’ve announced that they will be releasing updates to various products and new items as well throughout the month. Let’s have a look and see what they have planned.

One glider gets an update, the other is all new

The first item on the list is Got Friends Discus-2c. Released in 2022 with both a freeware and premium version, the Discus-2c has been thoroughly updated with refreshed underlying code, updated 3D model with improved animations, new flight model, new Wwise soundpack, new LX family avionics (more on that in a bit), and various other features.

The Premium version of the update also brings with it 2024 features like the walkaround preflight system, door and seatbelt interaction, and further changes to the flight model as just some of the highlights.

Next up is the AS 33 Me which the team say is an expert level glider and whose development has been focused on offering a new level of detail from the dev group. Detailed system depth, customizable features, and full electric systems simulation are just some of what is on offer. Think high fidelity but for gliding and I think you get the picture being presented.

Some of the key features for this one include two wingspan variants (15 meters and 18 meters), dashboard and instrument customization, electric motor and dedicated powerplant interface, ballast refill system, surface contamination system with drag effects for bugs, dirt, grime, and rain), soft-body simulation for wingflex, yaw string and wire animations, multiple liveries, and the LX family suite of systems.

The MSFS 2024 version will have walk-around preflight and even more advanced flight model and visual effects.

Price will be $19.99 USD.

The LX Family suite

Another thing that the Got Friends team have been busy doing is updating glider avionics. The LX Family Suite has been updated significantly and is being added to the Discus-2c, the AS 33 Me, as well as the Stemme S12-G and Taurus-M gliders in MSFS 2024.

The system includes support for various third party map providers, support for external flight plans, new polar, sink and weight for various calculations, PLN change support for the navigation engine, hotkey support for all buttons and knobs and more.

Towing expansion for MSFS 2020 and 2024

Here comes some freeware as well! Got Friends Towing Expansion for both MSFS 2020 and 2024 will add a variety of tow vehicles to MSFS and enable Asobo aircraft for aerotowing. The list includes the Wilga 35A, Ford F-150, CyberWinch Truck, Cessna 172, Robin DR-400, Savage Cub and CubCrafter XCub.

Timelines

Here is how things are going to ship out.

• The Discus-2c Premium and Standard update for 2020 and 2024 is already out on the Got Friends website and Contrail. Marketplace and Xbox update coming on approval.
• Got Friends Towing Expansion is expected this week.
• The AS 33 Me will release for 2020 in the first week of July
• The same aircraft will release for 2024 in the second week of July
• The Discus-2c Premium upgrade for 2024 will come in the third week of July
• Finally the towing expansion for 2024 will come in the fourth week of July.

Also coming soon in Sim Update 4 are the LX Family suite upgrades for the Stemme S12-G and Taurus-M.

Phew! That’s quite a bit happening and a lot of exciting content for folks interested in using the sim for gliding.

I mentioned quite a long time ago that I was embarking on a new goal to learn about gliding and I have started to get into it with MSFS 2020 and 2024 but I’ve been diverted by all of the other great content out there. At some point I’ll be diving into as much of this content as I can.

In the meantime, check out the update from Got Friends themselves for additional information!