FSDreamTeam has issued a brand new update for the popular GSX software for FSX and P3D. The new version, version 2.8, adds many new features such as Quick Pushback, which will help users with a more accurate push back from their gate at the airport and also other improvements to the nodes.

In the video above, the developer highlights many of the new features included and how users can implement them via their simulators. To get the perfect curve, nodes can now be adjusted individually and also based on specific headings. You can now make almost all variations of shapes to ensure you have the most realistic push back possible.

Along with the new node system, you can now have multiple pushback slots from your GSX in-sim menu. No longer will you be constrained to LEFT/RIGHT, but now you can add as many as you like based on your own push back designs. You can then have GSX autoname them or customise it yourself. To make things easier, the new update also includes the ability to “mirror” the custom push backs so that both directions can be added with minimal effort.

Finally, the other big change is the integration with the new SODE VDGS product that was released recently. With GSX, no customisation is needed and you can simply select the new SODE system directly from the GSX menu.

The update is available now free of charge via the FSDreamTeam updater tool.

After many posts regarding Edmonton (CYEG), FSimStudios has announced that they will be releasing their latest scenery, Edmonton International Airport this weekend. This scenery is chocked full of exciting features for Canada’s 5th busiest airport.

To kick things off, FSimStudios have stated that it will be “pre-released” on their website. You will be able to pick it up at SimMarket after a few weeks. FSimStudios have been making quite the name for themselves by bringing airports that either need an updated scenery, or just need a scenery in general. Adding Edmonton (CYEG) to the list, this will drastically change those who operate Canadian flights. With a detailed terminal building with the new control tower, the level of detail is incredible. High-resolution textures with PBR Dynamic WetFX which change depending on the weather conditions at the airport. Also included are PBR SnowFX to go along with the 3D snow, snowdrifts, and steam effects. SODE Jetways and Windsocks, as well as dynamic lighting, will be included out of the box. This is the tip of the iceberg of what to expect.

But wait, there is more! FSimStudios have also announced that they are currently working on Calgary V2 CYYC. This will include a fully updated and remake of the airport, Downtown Calgary and will feature high-resolution textures of the Rocky Mountains. Calgary V2 CYYC is expected sometime next year, but no major timeline has been stated as of yet. With the addition of Edmonton and the new Calgary, flights between these two airports will be spectacular!

That’s not all either. FSimStudios announced a few weeks ago that they are developing “another Canadian favourite“ airport. They are hinting that it is 2 more great destinations to fly from Edmonton. There are many major Canadian airports that still have not been covered, or have been covered, but are not optimized for the 64bit platform or are outdated. Please feel free to post guesses in the comments.

Although a little later than planned, the new update for the PMDG NGXu is now available to download for Prepar3D V4. The new update focuses primarily on performance after hearing community feedback. In total, 43 issues were addressed including elements of the geometry, texture work and a variety of small fixes to various systems.

As mentioned at the start, this update sees changes to the aircraft to improve overall performance. According to the post from Robert on the PMDG forums, he said that the team had been looking at the feedback to better optimise the NGXu in “order to reduce the lead we have on the processor.” The team will continue to look at data if there are further optimisations to be made going forward.

Further to the optimisations made, the team went on to also say that there is now a new option in the FMS OPTIONS menu to use a new experimental way to change the draw rate on the EFB moving map. Here is what Robert said on the subject:

“This is an experiment, because we know that drawing the EFB, then subjecting that screen to HDR correction, then having cockpit lighting interact with those results, which then have to be recomputed and rendered once more, can have an impact on FPS. We thought it might be interesting to see if, instead of drawing that screen each tick we skip a few frames in the middle and see if that alleviates a burden from some with mid-range hardware. We played around with it and thought it was interesting, so we figured we would pass it along as an experiment to see if it helps…”

To get the update, you will need to open up the PMDG Operations Center v2 and download and apply the update. This will then change the required files on your system rather than having to download a whole new update.