I’ve just finished off my review of the Taylorcraft BC-12D and, spoilers, I gave it glowing marks. That said, Got Friends has been listening to the community and they are planning to do more with the aircraft release. Let’s have a look!

Addressing a few issues, adding some new features

One of the only issues I identified in my review was that the aircraft tended to float a little too much. Well, Got Friends looks set to solve that particular issue with some flight model work according to Got Friends’ Jonx.

Ground effect has been reworked to make the airplane settle and behave more naturally close to the surface, while retaining the lightweight character you would expect from a Taylorcraft. We’ve also improved yaw stability, crosswind behavior, ground steering, and directional control.

Another issue is night time flying. I didn’t see this as a huge issue as the BC-12D is a vintage aircraft and its intended for operation during the day. Nonetheless, two solutions are being offered for those who want them. They don’t want to add modern nav and landing lights to the mix so they are trying to offer something that is still in keeping with the airplane. A new optional Red Cabin light behind the pilot and co-pilot will illuminate the cabin without completely destroying night vision. Good! In MSFS 2024 versions only, another optional feature will let you wear night vision goggles which will illuminate the cabin and world around you. Ok, cool enough!

More persistence options have been requested by some users so persistent fuel is now being tracked. The aircraft will remember its fuel state from flight to flight.

Other updates include improved carb icing modeling, carb-heat behaviour, new sounds, repairable propeller and latch failure option, and rudder trim support. It will also have MSFS 2024 career compatibility, dirt simulation, and other fixes and refinements.

One more thing! We’re getting the Sportsman Variant! This adds a Continental C-85 engine with 20 extra horsepower, revised flight model, systems, sounds, liveries and aircraft data. That will make it its own experience. It can also be configured for Light Cargo duty.

Got Friends seem to be looking to make their already excellent aircraft release even better with these updates. Look for them coming in v1.0.1 releasing via the Marketplace.