We’ve previously reported on Black Square’s stated plan to back-port some of the features in their latest releases, the turbine and piston Duke, to earlier releases. Now, the developer has made good on that promise by releasing two substantive updates to their popular TBM 850 and Velocity XL aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
TBM 850 Updates
Version 1.2 of the TBM 850 brings over 40 new features and bug fixes to the popular addon for MSFS. A lengthy change log details these additions and fixes, and even gives us a hint of what might be coming next from the developer. It’s clear from the change log that the new tablet interface has created the infrastructure through which many of the TBM 850’s enhancements are based. Specifically, the tablet allows for aircraft configuration changes such as hot-swapping avionics, payload settings, and failure management. It also includes real-time visualizers for TBM 850’s turbine engine, electrical schematics, and environmental systems – the accuracy of which has also been improved. Exterior elements are now also configurable via the tablet interface including adding/removing the pitot, engine inlet, and exhaust covers, wheel chocks, and external power cart.
In addition to the tablet-based enhancements, Black Square detailed several bug fixes in the TBM 850 version 1.2. These fixes include addressing issues with internal rounding errors, gas generator vs. density altitude curve correction, ITT and torque curve adjustments, and a minor increase in the parasitic drag scaler. Additionally, dynamic oxygen consumption was corrected for partially pressurized cabins and electrical system oversights were addressed. The annunciator panel test logic was fixed and GPS performance and OBS settings were fixed for Working Title’s GNS and PMS50 GTN.
Of particular note in the change log is the mention of “Added support for WeatherSquare 4000”. Black Square currently doesn’t have a product by this name, but the developer has confirmed that it is not a typo in the release notes. However, they provided no other details about what it might be. Perhaps a hint at a new product? We’ll have to wait and see.
You can read the full TBM 850 version 1.2 Change Log here.
Velocity XL Updates
The TBM 850 isn’t the only Black Square aircraft to receive an update. The Velocity XL, which last saw an update nearly 1.5 years ago, has been improved to version 1.3. This update brings new features and bug fixes to that aircraft as well. New features include support for Working Title’s G3X Touch and interoperability with TDS & PMS50 GTNs. Black Square also added handcrafted 4K window surface imperfections for which they say results in “a much more pleasant experience during low sun angles.”
Bug fixes for the Velocity XL include an update to the battery voltage curve and fixing the internal attitude indicator type flag to “electric” instead of “vacuum”. The parking brake will also now be enabled by default when users load the aircraft.
You can read the full Velocity XL Change Log here.
The TBM 850 and the Velocity XL can be updated by logging into your Just Flight account and downloading the updated installer. In their news release, Black Square also indicated that installers for both aircraft have been submitted for MSFS Marketplace inclusion and they expect both to be available in early September.
