FlyByWire Simulations has officially released the first native Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 version of its freeware A380X, marking one of the project’s biggest milestones since development began. Built entirely using the MSFS 2024 SDK, the new version takes advantage of the simulator’s latest technologies to deliver significant performance improvements, a new modular aircraft system, and numerous visual enhancements.
The move to a native MSFS 2024 architecture allows FlyByWire to move beyond simple compatibility and begin developing specifically for the new platform. According to the team, the aircraft has been rebuilt using the simulator’s modular framework, enabling individual aircraft components to be loaded independently.
The first implementation of this system is a new No Cabin variant, which removes the fully modelled passenger cabin to dramatically reduce resource usage while retaining realistic cabin depth through parallax window technology. This avoids the “empty shell” appearance often seen on cabinless models and provides an immediate performance boost for users with lower-end hardware.
Performance has been a major focus throughout development. FlyByWire says improvements to texture management, mipmap generation, Level of Detail implementation and mesh optimisation have resulted in substantial reductions in VRAM usage—typically between 1GB and 2GB depending on hardware. Internal testing and community feedback have shown FPS improvements of up to 50% in some scenarios, while systems previously limited by VRAM exhaustion have seen far smoother operation. The team has also removed the separate 4K and 8K texture packages, instead opting for a single optimised build that dynamically adjusts texture resolution based on the simulator’s graphics settings.
The release also introduces a comprehensive overhaul of both cockpit and exterior lighting to better utilise Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024’s new lighting engine. The cockpit now features redesigned main instrument panel lighting alongside new reading lights and improved ambient illumination, while the exterior lighting has been reworked with more accurate beacon and strobe timings, revised brightness levels, improved landing and taxi lights, and the addition of taxi camera lights.
Several quality-of-life improvements accompany the native release. The aircraft now makes use of the simulator’s native rain and windscreen wiper effects, includes correctly modelled window plugs that match the cabin layout, and introduces the ability to hide the sidestick for an unobstructed view of the Onboard Information Terminal (OIT). These changes complement numerous under-the-hood improvements made during the migration to the new platform.
Because the native aircraft uses a new structure and texture format, existing liveries will need to be repackaged before they are compatible. FlyByWire has released updated paint kits and documentation to help livery creators migrate their work to the new platform.
Despite describing this as a major milestone, FlyByWire says this is only the beginning of the native MSFS 2024 journey. Future updates will continue refining the aircraft’s modular architecture, further optimise the cabin and Level of Detail system, introduce additional aircraft variants, and deliver extensive visual remodelling projects already underway. Features such as walkaround interactions and external panel support are also planned for future releases once the core native platform has matured.
The native Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 version of the A380X is available now through the FlyByWire Installer and website. At launch, it is exclusive to the Development build, allowing the team to rapidly deploy bug fixes and improvements before it eventually moves to the Stable branch. As with all FlyByWire projects, the aircraft remains completely free to download.
