Black Square’s Nick Cyganski has been busy behind the scenes recently and has popped up into the Just Flight news section to give us an update on how various projects are going. This time around we’re learning about the soon to be released Commander 114, the Twin Commander (there are two of those on the way), and even a bit more about the King Air Professional. This is how things are looking!

Twin Commanders get a big status update

Microsoft Flight Simulator has a growing market of extremely high fidelity general aviation offerings these days thanks to developers like A2A Simulations and thanks to Nick Cyganski and Black Square Simulation. Though more expensive than some other general aviation offerings, Nick’s detailed systems really make for an engaging experience. It looks to be the same for the Twin Commander!

Nick confirms that this package will include the Turbo Commander 690B and Aero Commander 685 remarking that they will differ more than the usual Black Square packaged aircraft despite similar airframes. Real world references have been gathered to help development along. The two will have different cockpit layouts, systems, and operations differ greatly. The engines will also be quite different with the GTSIO-520-F representing a new type of engine – a geared reciprocating engine. Other details will include detailed weathering and interior details like the main wheel wells (including functioning pressure gauge).

No word on release date but they are certainly coming along.

In the meantime, another Commander is joining the fleet…

Commander 114

The Black Square Commander 114 packages together the usual Black Square features while also adding in some new features as well. A new full state saving system adds persistence at nearly every custom variable in the airplane. Its a smart system so if you spawn hot on a runway the aircraft will set itself up appropriately.

Other new features include a working storm scope, new engine sound types for rough running and abnormal operation, new avionics options, and hydraulic gear system simulation (with gear hanging and swinging freely).

A first look video is now available to get an overview of features.

A systems overview video has also released providing a deeper look at the new systems.

A 154 page manual is available now and its likely that release is just weeks away at this rate. If past products are any indication.

What about the King Air?

Lots of folks are excited about a Black Square level King Air project and one is indeed underway. I’ll let Nick’s update on the model chosen, why it was chosen, and what might come after the King Air, speak for itself. Here’s what Nick had to say:

The King Air Professional will be a 300 model, which combines the shorter fuselage of the 200 with the engines of the 350. Although not the most common model produced, the 300 leveraged a temporary certification window to become the fastest and highest performing of all the King Airs. With a cruising speed of 320 KTAS, climb rates in excess of 3,000 fpm, MGTOW of 14,000 lb, and the mutli-bus electrical system of the 350, I considered the 300 to be the perfect combination of features for the King Air Professional. Of course, with this much effort invested in the systems, I suppose a 1900D announcement was inevitable, wasn’t it?

That all sounds great!

Read the full report here and check out the Commander 114 product page here.

Updated July 24 at 4:59 pm EDT: Just Flight have, just over an hour after I wrote this article, confirmed that the Commander 114 will be released next week with a date confirmed over the weekend.

We can confirm that the Commander 114 for MSFS 2020 & 2024 from Black Square will be released next week. Expect to see a release date over the weekend.

Black Square have also released a new aerodynamics focused video.