Blackbird Simulations has released the Dirty 30 ADV for Microsoft Flight Simulator, bringing a high-fidelity recreation of the C-130J-30 Super Hercules to the sim. The aircraft has been designed with input from real-world pilots and subject matter experts, resulting in a detailed model intended for both casual flying and those wanting to take it more seriously.
The package comes with both the 30 Long and 30 Short variants, a custom EFB, and multiple options for cargo. Furthermore, there are animated doors & ramps, a complex radar system (with ground mapping, beam width/tilt, offset, and weather modes), along with systems-driven failures. In total, there are over 120 functional manual circuit breakers and over 900 electronic circuit breakers, which are controllable through the avionics system.
A key highlight is the inclusion of an in-depth flight model based on real-world data, offering realistic handling characteristics across various flight regimes. Real-world pilots of the aircraft type have been involved from the start, helping ensure that this is a faithful recreation of the plane.
What is important to note is that this is an Alpha Release. Blackbird Simulations is clear that this is a product that is not yet fully complete. They say that it is “96% feature complete”, and there will be regular updates. There is no definitive release timeframe for beta or release builds, but the team wanted input from the community.
As a result of the alpha release, they are setting the price to an initial price of $24.99 USD (local taxes may apply). The price will go up over time as features are added and progress is made. The first update is planned for next week when Blackbird says that the price will go up. Below is the full list of areas that are still seeing improvements in their implementation.
- Compatibility with MSFS SU2 beta is not guaranteed
- Sounds – basic sounds are in but need more detail
- Engine and aircraft performance – needs refining
- Autopilot – needs refining
- Throttle calibration system – incomplete
- Fire Handle system – incomplete
- Fire detection and test – incomplete
- APU – working but needs realism improved
- Fuel – fuel transfer is buggy
- Some CNI-MU soft panels buggy
- Holding patterns – buggy
- Single Point Refueling using tablet – incomplete
- FLCV test – incomplete
- Failures – some failures work, some don’t, and failure list is incomplete
- Ice Protection – incomplete
- Effects of ECBUs and BAUs failing or being taken offline
- BIU BACKUP mode – needs work (and to be added to failures list)
- Defensive systems including flares and chaff – incomplete
- IPRA – incomplete
- CARP – incomplete
- CAPS – planned
- TIME NAV – incomplete
- BUS STATUS, SW QUERY, and MAINTENANCE pages – incomplete
- TAWS warnings – incomplete
- CNI-MU TOLD and W/B auto-fill from tablet – planned
- Fuel truck bugged
- Aileron animation reversed
- Crew and paratroop doors still don’t work consistently from the tablet
- Manual/backup extension of gear and flaps from tablet – planned
- Missing a LOD texture on the USAF livery
- Screen brightness set to minimum by default
Here is the feature set for the plane.
- Deeply accurate avionics, flight, and engine systems
- True-to-life fuel, electrical, and hydraulic modeling
- High-detail 3D models and ultra-crisp textures
- Performance tuned to match real-world data
- Custom hardware input system allowing control of hundreds of parameters unique to this aircraft through the built-in tablet
- For advanced cockpit builders, there is an SDK through which any switch in the cockpit may be read or set directly
- Custom Ground Power Unit
- Multiple cargo configurations & payload types
- Two fuselage options: Long and Short
- 3 rear cockpit variants for different roles
- 10 stunning liveries
- System-driven failures for high-stakes realism
- Gorgeous night lighting inside and out
- Animated extras—including a galley with working microwave (seriously)
- Fully animated doors, ramps, and access points
- Highly complex radar system including ground mapping with terrain shadows, beam width and tilt, offset, expand, freeze and more, as well as air-to-air (skin paint) and weather modes
(Note: ground mapping will not pick up buildings or moving objects) - Digital Map display with worldwide coverage using Navigraph VFR charts (Navigraph subscription required)
- Custom Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) display
- Exceptionally realistic Kalman filter-based dual Inertial Navigation System with fully modeled Schuler errors, earth rotation effects, four different alignment modes, GPS and VOR/TACAN updating
- Common Cursor system enabling GPS-out position updates for the INS using the ground-mapping radar and HUD
- TCAS TA/RA system integrated with the HUD and navigation displays and implemented using the real algorithms per the TCAS standard.
- Full-featured HUD, including ground references and Common Cursor integration
- Up to 16 (depending on variant) avionics screens/MFD with hundreds of pages
- Over 120 fully working Manual Circuit Breakers (MCBs) accessible in the cockpit
- Over 900 Electronic Circuit Breakers (ECBs) controllable through the avionics system
- Over 100 cockpit lighting parameters adjustable through the avionics system
- Custom Flight Director/Autopilot with 4 lateral modes, 6 vertical modes, and autothrottle
