After a long four-year development, the FlyByWire Simulations team has officially released its A380X for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The cost: nothing. Nada. Free!
The A380 by Airbus is the largest passenger jet in the world, thanks to its full-length double-decked design. It typically carries 545 passengers on a variety of missions around the world, from short to ultra-long-haul routes. Its impressive size, wingspan, and weight mean it is somewhat restricted as to what airports it can visit, but most international airports can accommodate the behemoth aircraft.
FlyByWire Simulations is releasing the A380X as an open-beta meaning that there are some INOP items and areas for improvement. A full list of INOP functionality is available on the FlyByWire Simulations docs page. However, they are clear that this aircraft can be flown on online networks like VATSIM for A to B flights. There is compatibility for various approaches, the ability to hold, and a number of other slightly more in-depth features.
The aircraft has full SimBrief integration, some limited GSX capabilities (expandable soon after launch according to the team) and a suite of interesting features. Brake to Vacate is fully operable, along with Runway Overrun Warning/Protection (ROW/ROP). There will also be an Onboard Airport Navigation System, implemented GPWS, terrain display, and more with A380-specific animations.
The FlyPadOS v3 will also be part of the release, giving you the ability to calibrate the throttle, control payload, and refuel the large plane. There is no takeoff calculator at launch, but you will be able to use data in SimBrief in order to assist. Only the house livery is available, but no doubt more will be made on sites like FS.to soon.
Whilst it may be freeware software, the FlyByWire Simulations team relies on donations from the community to support its infrastructure and ability to attend events such as FSWeekend and FlightSimExpo. You can support FlyByWire Simulations via their Open Collective page.
You can learn more about the A380X in our brief re-cap from their latest stream.
How to Download the FlyByWire Simulations A380X?
You just need to have the FlyByWire Simulations installer to hand and then select the branch from the A380X option in the software.
Click here to get the installer.
Open Source Development
With the release now in the public’s hands, development has now opened up for the public to look at the code and contribute. This will still be very much a FlyByWire Simulations project, but people will now be able to take part and submit code to the team for quality assurance to further refine the product.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
If you need a reminder, this is a release for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. An MSFS 2024 release is on the cards but may not happen on day one when it is released. For now, enjoy it on the current platform.