Users of the new sim will be happy to know that Black Square intends to fully support MSFS 2024, but not on day one. In an article posted to JustFlight.com, Black Square’s Founder and Lead Developer, Nick Cyganski, revealed his plans for MSFS 2024 compatibility as well as some exciting new projects. However, he cautioned that full compatibility of his standalone aircraft (Velocity XL, TBM 850, Piston & Turbine Dukes), is not likely on release day. “It was my intention to offer fully compatible versions of my standalone aircraft on day one of MSFS 2024;” he stated. “…however, the MSFS 2024 Dev Alpha has revealed several undocumented breaking code changes, and it is unclear how the Dev Alpha will relate to the release build.”
According to Cyganski, Black Square’s standalone aircraft are flyable and enjoyable in MSFS 2024, but minor graphical and animation abnormalities are noticeable, and not up to his standard. “With so much uncertainty, the best I can offer is my dedication to these products, and providing a quality experience in MSFS 2024 for existing users as quickly as I can,” he stated.
We also learned that the Steam Gauge Overhaul series, including the Analog Caravan, King Air, Bonanza, and Baron, will be rebooted as standalone aircraft for MSFS 2024. The “Professional” series will kick off with the “Caravan Professional” and include advanced technology first seen in Black Square’s TBM 850, Dukes, and the upcoming Starship.
Cyganski showed off some previews of the Caravan Professional which is an improved release of Black Square’s Analog Caravan with new exterior models and sound packages, improved graphics, and features such as custom turbine engine simulation, beta range, propeller feathering physics, FOD damage, gyroscope physics simulation, and more.
Black Square’s custom tablet interface will also be integrated into the Caravan Professional series, enabling users to configure options, set payloads, manage failures, and monitor real-time visualizations for engine, electrical schematic, and environmental systems. Avionics, too, receive additional configurability with the Caravan Professional doubling the Analog Caravan’s avionics configurations from 6 to 12.
The Caravan Professional will consist of two independent titles with two different variants of the base aircraft in each. The first title will be the Grand Caravan with a passenger interior with and without the cargo pod. The other title will contain the Grand Caravan Amphibian and Super Cargomaster variants. Existing Analog Caravan owners will receive discount codes for these new titles.
Lastly, Cyganski revealed that Black Square is working on the Commander 114, a complex gear, four-place, single-engine aircraft manufactured by Commander Aircraft Company from 1976 to 1978. Black Square’s Commander 114 is promised to live up to the high-quality standards we’ve come to expect from the developer, including physics-driven reciprocating engine simulation and an avionics suite that reflects the aircraft’s vintage (presumably with the option for a more modern cockpit, as well).
No release dates were given but Cyganski indicated that we will likely see the Black Square Bonanza Professional and Baron Professional before the Commander 114 and that the three aircraft will share many of the same advanced features, including the Black Square tablet interface and reciprocating engine simulation.
