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Hi guys- just a small note to say that we're fixing some issues we found while testing the release - nothing too major but it might take a little bit more time to do. That, in combination with the upcoming P3Dv5 HF2 which we feel will fix a couple other very important shortcomings, is delaying our release. Just wanted you guys to know, so you don't expect the release to drop within the next couple of days at least.

We’re testing the release candidates for the A320 - so we’re close. It’s a fantastic update with a tremendous amount of effort from the whole team.

OK. That's fair. We'll do that .

HiFi have been fantastic, not just for this release but in supporting all of our releases. I think it took Lefteris ten minutes to add support for ASP3D thanks to their help.

Hello all, I am happy to announce the immediate availability of FSL Spotlights v5 for Prepar3D v5.0. You can find it here. This release is compatible with Prepar3D v5 only - for previous Prepar3D versions, please refer to the Downloads Area and use FSL Spotlights v2.0 and earlier. Please note that this product is once again offered as a free download with no license purchase required. Also note that, due to Prepar3D v5 now using DirectX12, there is no UI control window inside P3D to control the spotlights brightness at this time - we are releasing this mostly in anticipation of the upcoming A320-X update for Prepar3D v5. However, we will work towards adding a user interface for Spotlights v5 in an upcoming update, so please stay tuned. Thank you all for your continued support!

A message for Lefteris (all others stop reading now; this post may have unintended effects) Begin counting back from 10 (10). Find a comfortable place (9) and sit with straight posture (8). Relax your shoulders (7) and take a deep cleansing breath (6). Focus your gaze on this word (no, scratch that! You have to keep reading) (5). Feel your eyelids become heavier and heavier (no, don't close them, silly! How else will you keep reading?) (4) You are feeling deeply relaxed (3). Now repeat the following (2): "The Airbus is perfect. I shall release it today. The Airbus is perfect. I shall release it today... today.... today.... today..." (1). When you wake up, you will remember nothing of this (other than, of course, the compulsion to release it today) (0). When I count to three, you'll wake up and go about your day. 1... 2... 3! Welcome back. To everyone else: consider this my contribution to this thread's post count. Do we have a record yet?

I was thinking maybe something like

I know your comment was meant with some humour in it, but we'd like to be clear on this nonetheless; We don't diss other add-ons, never have and never will. It's a fact that most other developers don't do their aircraft down to the wiring and logic sheets that hold together all individual components. Where would I even start? If we were to do an EIS1 A320, we'd obviously not do the most modern version of it, as this would present users with rather little difference to what we have right now, besides the screens looking "round" with some analogue gauges next to it. Of course major components such as the FMGC would already be substantially different when looked at the level that we do. But to make an interesting case for a new add-on, it would need to be a very early model of A320, think 89 vintage and such, those with no GPS equipment on board (Lufthansa still flew them around Europe up until the global shutdown came along). And as such, all systems would need major re-work to end up with a depth and accuracy our customers expect from us. So sadly no, it will not happen.

The forthcoming update will work in v4 and v5.

Hello everyone, I wanted to take the opportunity to first of all extend our hopes and wishes that everyone is feeling well and safe from the COVID-19 pandemic that has befallen the world. Please be careful to follow your government's instructions and advice so that this can become part of stories and folklore we all one day tell our grandchildren. Lockheed Martin's release of Prepar3D v5 is now behind us and I would also want to take a moment to discuss our roadmap regarding updates for the already released product line and a bit of detail on what the future holds regarding our upcoming releases. Prepar3D v4.5 - New HotFix 3 was released (did anybody notice?) First of all - while the spotlight has been on the P3Dv5 release - LM also sent out an update to P3Dv4, the new version being v4.5HF3. This will require that our existing products be updated to support it, so expect a quick compatibility-only update to roll out within the next few days, once our beta testers have taken some time to ensure everything still works as before. This update will strictly be for v4.5 HF3 compatibility reasons and will not add new functionality or features. NOTE: If you update to the latest P3D v4.5 HF3 before this compatibility update is released, we cannot and will not provide support for any problems that might surface, other than to say "please roll back until our compatibility update is out". Prepar3D v5 - What is new? What can work? We are deep in the process of testing our product line with the new platform. As a lot of you are also discovering now, there are a lot of underlying engine code changes in that base platform that are causing us to take time to ensure that we can safely release the products to you. Most of that effort revolves around the change from DX11 to DX12, but also there are some PBR modeling updates that we are looking to take advantage of as well, going into the P3Dv5 world. We are also investigating what the effect of DX12 will be on our testers with older / less powerful graphics cards, as reports are already coming in where users are running out of VRAM causing their sim to either crash unexpectedly or show the DXGI error that means their graphics card couldn't handle something and crashed the sim. We are aware that LM are also actively looking into this matter, so we'll make sure to keep you updated with our findings as well. Product updates and roadmap As I've explained in previous announcements, our development team focus has been on the new exciting Sharklets add-on, however we have also been adding new features and updating our existing product line in parallel with the Sharklets effort. We are looking forward to releasing these to you in the coming weeks - I would like to take the opportunity here to list the most significant of these additions and updates. Note that the order I am presenting the product line below is most likely going to be the order that our products will be rolling out, but this as always is tentative and subject to change at any time. FSLabs A320-X Those of you who have been with us since the FSX days know that we continuously update and improve on already released products for years after they first come out. The A320-X is a true testament to this philosophy, so we are going to be releasing several exciting features and new logic. Among the most notable of the updates and new features that the A320-X platform has received are: Added S8 software updates to the FMGS MDA/DH replaced with BARO/RADIO UPDATE AT deprecated IRS INIT page updated FIX INFO pages updated DMC updates for Profile/VDEV and approach identifiers Flight Guidance NPA logic revised Added CPDLC systems Added DCDU displays Several external model and virtual cockpit improvements All new PBR textures on the external IAE and CFM models That last part (PBR textures) requires that we release an updated paint-kit to go along with the updated model, to support the necessary PBR changes. We expect to also roll out new versions of our FSLabs-supported liveries for the models very shortly after the main product release that will feature those individual liveries in PBR textures. FSLabs A321-X We expect the A321-X product to be released relatively shortly after the A320-X update. It will also receive the updated S8 version of the FMGS logic and benefit from those code changes that the base A320-X platform receives. We're also looking into some PBR enhancements that can be added to the model, mainly for when it loads into the newer P3Dv5 platform. FSLabs A319-X While our testers are busy testing the A321-X update, we will also be updating the A319-X to receive the same amount of love and attention shown to its bigger brethren. This means we'll also be updating the external model to receive PBR textures and add the same FMGS, CPDLC and DCDU updates as in the other two aircraft variants. Expect this to drop sometime after the A321-X, followed closely with an updated paint-kit and PBR textured liveries, in a staggered roll-out release. FSLabs A320-X SL / A321-X SL "Sharklets" We have been paying special attention to our upcoming NEW expansion product, the "Sharklets", as it contains not one, but two aircraft variants, the A320-X SL and the A321-X SL, each having two individual engine variants - CFM and IAE, released together as a single product package, at an attractive price. I've been noticing several posts on social media asking why this is taking as long as it does as it's "just a few model changes on the end of the wings and some painting". Oh how I wish it were so... but it's not. Here's a by-far-not-all-inclusive list of the major differences / updates and new items that are in this product package: Electronic Flight Control System Load Alleviation Function (LAF) Aileron Anti-droop system Flight Model: Each of the four variants operates within a narrow margin of operational data, making this a true simulation of the specific aircraft, giving customers the unique opportunity to discover the intricate details and flying characteristics that until now, only pilots could comment on. FMGS S8 version update (as above) Fuel System: New fuel system supporting center tank jet pumps Updated FQIC and FLSCU logic Updated FWC to latest software standards Updated SDAC to latest software standards New ISIS model New DU LCD colorset for better contrast DDRMI now optional SATCOM Radome now optional iPad-style Electronic Flight Bag now optional Lighting: All lights are now LED Each LED light has accurate warm up / cool down times (exclusive FSL feature through FSLSpotlights technology) Anti-strobe blocker option to prevent cockpit glare Oh, and did I mention the sharklets added to the wings? Fun aside, the external model features many differences - some subtle, some not so much, like the upper wing to body belly fairing which is new... (see if you can spot them in the images below) Will there be a cost involved for the updates to roll into P3Dv5? No. The updates to all our existing products will be free of charge for existing customers, so you can continue to purchase P3Dv4 versions today and not worry that upgrading into P3Dv5 will cost extra. However, please keep in mind that this transition is not easy or simple for our development team, so there might be a period of time required while the details are worked out. Can I take my existing A320-X/A319-X/A321-X and copy the files over into P3Dv5? No. This will not work. If you manually attempt this and break your product by doing so, our support staff will not be able to assist you in recovering it, sorry, you're on your own! ---- One last thing, and as I do with most of my announcements: as a way of saying thank you very much for your continued support, I've added some screenshots the team collected for your viewing pleasure! Stay safe please!

We've got no interest in open beta builds. I can't see how they would work with something as complex as the A320-X. Too many false positives.

Thats already in place. Once released this will become visible to you all.

A few shots from the past few months

Hi Felipe Unlike most other addons we don’t do things by changing some polygons here and there. Our products literally follow the wiring, logics etc of the real deal.

For various reasons, we are not adding PBR to the VC at this point in time.

May I politely inquire why it's possible for other developers to add PBR without the need for people to completely redo their liveries (For a 3rd time..)

On the contrary, Lockheed Martin moved things forward. For years and years the community has begged MS, then later LM, to please move more work to the GPU. And now, using DX12, we have what we wanted. A serious FPS increase is the result, but at the cost of a hard limit on available VRAM. For some, the price might be too high. For most though they can either use it straight away, or upgrade some hardware parts along with the software, as has always been the case in the history of PC-based flight simulation. So this is not going backwards, it is a real possibility to finally enjoy decent amounts of FPS when flying into hub airports. Old hardware has to be left behind at SOME point, you can't drag it along all the time, that would prevent you from making any progress. Sure, 4GB video cards will no longer work. 6GB cards will work for many, but of course if you throw some heavy weights at it, like ORBX TrueEarth with its gigantic texture sizes, yes this might bring a 6GB card to its knees. The thing is, for years and years developers did not need to pay attention to VRAM. So what happened was that many developers used 4K textures all over their airports, even though the difference between 2K and 4K would never have been visible. This got even worse in P3Dv4, because with that, developers didn't even need to pay attention to OOM errors at all anymore, so texture size waste increased yet again. So some developers will have to re-think their methods to avoid unnecessary texture use. And in a few months time, when the new generation video cards hit the market, this issue will start to go away, since this will allow for a very significant price drop for 8GB video cards. And many of those will even be available second-hand at even better prices. So it would be quite unfair towards Lockheed Martin to tell them they went backwards. You see I now can place my A320 onto the Sim-Wings Heathrow airport, high settings, view direction downtown, at night, TrueSky enabled, 4K resolution, and still easily maintain 50fps locked, with room to spare. Oh and yes, all that with only 3.9GB of VRAM usage in total.

if anything, please finally replace that old, half peeled off life vest sticker on the cpt chair. I paid good money for a high end modern airliner and then this.... inacceptable.

Wife wants me to paint the garden shed. +++ I have no excuse. +++ Please help and release update. +++

Marc, come on. You've been on this site for years, and have been very visible during previous releases. You know that's not a sign. It'll be time when they announce it. All this guesswork about when that might be, reading into things that are inconsequential, is just a silly waste of time and energy. Fly something else while you wait, and get excited when it happens.

Hi guys, I have updated simpax to v.4.3. You will find a completely new system, new features and a new look and feel that is way more "airliny" and slowly becoming what I've always wanted to archive with this project. After entering the flight data you will receive a manifest in simple "OFP-look" that contains way more information than before and even automatically puts a company logo on the sheet (the logos have a rugged "bad-photocopy" look on purpose so don't worry ). Please remember, 2 months ago I had no knowledge of html/javascript and while I'm taking online courses I'm slowly getting the grips of it. I will keep improving the code and functions etc. as I progress further down this (for me) new road while I'm really having a lot of fun doing it and creating something for the community (that is of some use for some guys I hope). And I'm also a tiny bit proud that I really came this far.... This tool is currently FSLabs based only, but we'll see where this will go, I have a lot of ideas for the future... So head over to simpax.eu and check out the new system. Feel free to contact me if you find any bugs or if you have questions or suggestions and tell me what you think. Feedback is always appreciated. Cheers, Stu

Well, Felipe...this is a really nice community, passionating airbus pilots. The FSLabs is the most detailed & realistic airplane ever seen in flightsim and we all love it. Please don't poison the forum with that behaviour or those kind of statements above. Criticism is fine and well noted by FSLabs but stay fair and constructive.

Into a very dark and stormy LSGG From LEPA. Enjoy!

I‘m usually totally fine with FSL not giving out any dates or exact timeframes, but I have to admit that at this point I would kinda appreciate a hint from the devs wether they will wait for HF2 or if it has no influence in current release plans.. .

Madeira Berlin Tegel And Stuttgart

some nice clouds on the way to PUY today...

Hi Ray, I’m going to need to ask you to refrain from commenting any further on our business practises. Most of your posts are indeed factually incorrect, and I’m concerned others might become misinformed. Let’s keep this thread light hearted - its our job at FSL to worry about these things. Thanks!

Hi John, of course you can. We had little choice, unfortunately. The A321 is using newer texture mapping to avoid various anomalies that we’d been asked to fix. When we applied PBR to the (then older) A319/A320 models, these anomalies were very obvious, and so we were left with little choice but to bring these paint kits inline with the A321. I appreciate the frustration the changes to the paint kit might cause - but the community wanted PBR, plus a number of requested fixes, and these changes were therefore necessary. Personally, I think it was the right choice - the model has never looked better than it does now with PBR in v5. I’m excited to see what our community of repainters can do with it.

Approaching Graz: At Mallorca: And descending into Agadir:

I am totally fine with my v5 HF1 installed. Still waiting for my fav addons like FSL, PMDG or REX/ActiveSky but it works great and to be honest: to sit outside, enjoy a drink or two while BBQ is so great and really keeps me away of driving crazy cuz of my missing FSL! But someone at FSL could show us really something now! We haven't got anything for a while now

Just 2, Enjoy!

Leaving Larnaca Approaching Liverpool

Already done

Yes [emoji4]

I get the impression you just want what’s next, whenever that next thing is hinted at. It’ll be good when it’s finally released. For me, this pandemic has ruined summer. A flight sim developer not releasing an update doesn’t really compare!

I think FSL should wait until 5.1 drops in October to release their update. lol

Flyniki from Olbia to Frankfurt on Vatsim.

If we wanted to do a simple ‘compatibility’ update, it would have happened by now. We are quite aware of the demand for a new Concorde title. One that meets the expectations of FSL customers.

...some shots of this week EGLL - EBBR and EBBR - LSGG

Dear Mr. Ray Proudfood, I am sure that every user of this forum already knows that YOU want the Concord back, because the only thing that comes up again and again in connection with your name is "Concord". Of course it is your right, but it is striking and forgive me the expression, very annoying. There were also several comments on the Concord issue from developers side, and I don't like the fact that you describe Airbus customers as preferred. I find this choice of words very inappropriate, a developer can't take care of everything at the same time. It should be clear that the Airbus attracts a larger number of customers. The Concorde will not come back faster, even if you write Concorde 1000 times. It sounds worse than it is meant to be, but it is annoying to read the same topic over and over again from the same person. To be clear once again, this is not to be a personal attack. But a few words have to be said when arguing against "Airbus customers".

Isnt it a beauty? (No - this is not P3D)

Just for you @David Norfolk

Those people see a new P3D version and max out every setting ..

Leave the Monarch in Corfu and take an easy ride to Nice i said, now run Forest, i love this plane how did i sim without it...