After releasing the KA350 and C172NG for X-Plane 12 after major updates, the AirfoilLabs team has announced that they are working on their biggest project yet, the Boeing 737 MAX for X-Plane 12. Through blog posts on the X-Plane forum, Juraj Rovensky shared many preview screenshots and details of the new development.
The Boeing 737 MAX has had a chequered history since its first flight in 2016 and was introduced to compete with the A320NEO family. The design of the 737 MAX is largely based on the classic and Next Generation (NG) predecessors with new, more fuel efficient engines with CFM LEAP engines, split scimitar winglets and other airframe modifications along with new glass cockpit features and other advanced avionics similar to that of the newer 787. One of the new additions to the type is the MCAS or Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System which counteracts any adverse Angle of Attack conditions. This feature is vital as the 737 MAX sits very close to the ground, like the previous versions, but it is fitted with larger engines mounted on the wing but slightly further forward and higher up on the pylon to prevent the larger engine striking the ground. This change in CG can cause adverse AoA conditions and the MCAS counteracts these.
Of the total of 4,793 orders from airlines around the globe, 1,654 have been delivered, with Southwest being the largest current operator with nearly 220 airframes in service. Other operators include United, FlyDubai and Ryanair with a special MAX 8200 which includes two extra exits to allow for the 200 passengers to exit in 90 seconds through 50% of the doors in the event of an emergency.
AirfoilLabs has shared lots of detail and mentions that they are already months into the project with a promise of transparency and monthly updates for the development along with robust Alpha and Beta stages, feature list and ‘professional-grade systems and authentic flight dynamics’.
Work has already moved far along with the flight modelling and cockpit rendering. Juraj provided some screenshots of a detailed AFT overhead panel that has been textured with wear and tear, PBR materials and different surfaces on the gauges, switches and screens to represent the real panel. Work is still in progress with the placement of switches to be tweaked and implementing custom shaders to improve visual fidelity.
In terms of flight modelling, Juraj shared a video of an untextured 737 MAX takeoff with additional detail using the built in X-Plane flight model visualisations to show lift, drag, thrust and bespoke wingtip vortices. This is only showing the basic X-Plane flight model but it was said that this lays a great foundation to build an authentic enhanced flight model. More work is to be done around verifying the model in changing weight and balance configurations, fine-tuning landing gear dampening systems to impact ground handling behaviour, and initial performance correlations.
Work has been completed on some systems within the aircraft. Juraj provided another short clip of the Primary Flight Display, Engine Indication System, and Navigation Display in action on a short take off. This video shows a fluid departure with many turns on the ND, engine indications of spool up to full power and how the fuel depletes from the tanks at high fuel flow on the EIS and a vibrant PFD.
One final area that AirfoilLabs has spent time focussing on, is the Electronic Flight Bag. The team details that this EFB uses the X-Plane Web API capabilities to provide virtual pilots with an in-depth flight bag that is capable of SimBrief and Navigraph integration, cabin announcements, weight and balance, aircraft configuration, failures, performance calculations and more. With the comprehensive functionality, it would suggest that this is to be more than an On-The-Line product and capable of creating a more challenging flying experience with failures.
Of course, all the previews mentioned above are early stages in the development processes but development is moving at pace by the team at AirfoilLabs. We will keep those awaiting the 737-MAX for X-Plane with baited breath updated with the advancements of the development at FSElite.
