Flight One software, the makers of the iFly Boeing 737 MAX 8 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020/24 has released a lengthy Discord post this afternoon covering the details of “Service Pack 1” (or SP1), a large update coming later this year for their 737 MAX 8 product.
The team notes that the plans as stated presently are just that – plans, and that they are subject to change. However, the list of new and improved features which has been shared is already generating a lot of excitement within the community.
The first and perhaps most highly requested item on the list is the addition of a new “tablet-style” EFB option to replace the current Boeing OEM EFB present on the flight deck. A lot of simmers had expressed that the present EFB, which is certainly a bit more old school than more modern options, looked clunky and out of place in the MAX’s flight deck. An image shared as part of the post shows that this will soon be replaceable with an Apple iPad.
Also on the list is integration with the Hoppie API for CPDLC on virtual air traffic networks such as VATSIM and IVAO, with BeyondATC and SayIntentions being “looked into”.
Cabin voice announcements (with or without GSX), multiple cabin layouts (166, 178, 189, 197 seats), modelling and texturing improvements throughout the cockpit and cabin are also slated for SP1.
Although there was a disclaimer that this is a working list of additions and nothing is final, the team did say in their post that the items on the list “have been in active or pre-development for some time”, so it would seem reasonable to assume that at the very least, most of the features on this list will make the final cut – with potentially more to come.
The team go on to say in their post that SP1 will be the final product development with support for MSFS 2020. To quote, “The structural differences between MSFS 2020 and 2024 are too vast and extremely time and labour-consuming to develop for both. Therefore, the decision has been made to only continue with MSFS 2024 development once SP1 has been released”.
The post then shifts to what the studio has in mind for after SP1 is released. They aim to shift their focus entirely to MSFS 2024 to take full advantage of the new technologies included in 2024, and then go ahead to develop the Boeing 737 MAX 9. They even go as far as to say there is a view towards working on the MAX 7 and MAX 10 variants, though only on official certification and placement into service of those types.
As a reminder, IRL Boeing has faced lengthy delays getting the MAX 10 certified and out the factory door after the high-profile door plug incident aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, strike action by machinists at their Renton and Everett production facilities, and a full re-design of the aircraft’s anti-ice system after concerns were raised that usage in dry conditions could overheat the engine inlets. As reported by the Air Current, these delays have now pushed certification of the types back into 2026 at the earliest.
The Flight One update rounds out by saying that SP1 still needs considerable work and will not be coming within the next 3 months, meaning even the most optimistic estimates place a release in mid-November. The team says they are unable to discuss things further at this time, as their primary focus is on getting the update into the hands of customers.
The full (subject to change) list of development items for SP1 is contained below:
- All new tablet-style EFB (Electronic Flight Bag). See the attached image.,
- CPDLC via the Hoppie API for services such as VATSIM or IVAO; (BATC and SayIntentions are also being looked into as they utilise the Hoppie API).,
- Cabin voice announcements (with and without GSX).,
- MAX8-200 model with additional functioning emergency exits, which are also reflected on the overhead panel.,
- Visual APU model.,
- Main wheel well model expansion.,
- Updated fuselage exterior model with new details, such as added rivets and additional details.,
- Redrawn cabin material, with additional details.,
- Multiple cabin layouts (166, 178, 189, 197 seats).,
- Updated cockpit materials: more details to differentiate between different material types (see the attached image).,
- Redrawn landing gear material – closer to the real aircraft.,
- General bug fixes including LNAV adjustments in some scenarios.,
- Other tweaks and bug fixes not listed here that may arise prior to SP1.
