Vector has released an extensive new development update for their upcoming Boeing 787-9, offering one of the most detailed looks yet at their modern long-hauler for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
According to the team, the project has now reached a major milestone where the aircraft’s deep systems simulation and advanced visual fidelity are finally coming together into a fully integrated package.
First announced earlier this year and showcased at FSWeekend 26, the Vector Boeing 787-9 aims to deliver a “schematic-level” simulation of Boeing’s Dreamliner, with the team emphasising that its philosophy goes far beyond simply re-creating visual effects or scripted behaviour. Instead, the aircraft has been built from the ground up with interconnected systems designed to operate and react much like the real aircraft itself.
The team revealed that before development even began, they spent more than six months researching the aircraft in detail, work was supported by a development group made up of real-world 787 and 737 pilots, mechanics, aerospace engineers, programmers, and artists. Throughout development, the team also gained access to real Boeing 787’s from five different airlines, allowing them to inspect and study systems, components, and aircraft behaviour directly.
According to the development update, every major aircraft system has been recreated to operate dynamically within the simulation environment. Fuel, hydraulics, electrical systems, environmental controls, and automation systems all continuously interact with each other using thousands of monitored parameters and sensor-driven data points.
The fuel system was highlighted as one example of the project’s complexity, rather than fuel existing simply as a background value, fuel physically flows through pumps, valves, and pipes. Changes to the system affect aircraft behaviour and logic in real time, much like the real aircraft.
“Our philosophy was simple: not to “fake” systems and not to simply simulate results, but to build the aircraft from the ground up at a true schematic level.”
The team also detailed the extensive work completed on the avionics suite, systems including the CDU, EFIS, MCP, TCAS, CPDLC, and FMC have reportedly been recreated from scratch. The AFDS autopilot system, including LNAV and VNAV functionality, has also been fully custom built and is currently undergoing extensive fine tuning.
Particular attention was given to the FMC simulation itself, with the team confirming that real-world operational limitations have been replicated, including the authentic 149-waypoint route limit. Exceeding that threshold will generate the familiar “ROUTE FULL” message seen on the real aircraft.
Alongside the core flight deck systems, Boeing’s integrated EFB has also received extensive attention. The in-sim tablet includes charts functionality, performance calculators, conversions, operational tools, and route management features. In addition, Vector has developed its own supplementary tablet system known as the “Vpad,” which handles simulator-specific functions such as SimBrief integration, Navigraph Charts, accelerated boarding and refueling options, ground services, and aircraft state management.
The aircraft’s checklist system spans approximately 700 pages and has been mapped in enough detail that several real-world pilots involved with the project suggested it could serve as a strong training tool for real simulator sessions. Even small details such as the way systems load and appear on the displays match the behaviour of the real 787, from the push of the battery switch and connecting ground power, expect to wait several minutes before the aircraft fully comes alive.
On the visual side, Vector says no area of the aircraft has been overlooked, with extensive work going into cabin detailing, wear and tear effects, cargo compartments, landing gear assemblies, engine surfaces, and Boeing’s signature electronically dimmable cockpit windows. The team also highlighted the aircraft’s custom-built wing flex simulation, designed to dynamically react to weight, speed, weather conditions, and aerodynamic load.
Flight dynamics have similarly been developed from scratch, with the goal of accurately recreating the weight and handling characteristics expected from a modern composite widebody. According to the developers, the aircraft is intended to feel heavy and planted throughout taxi, take-off, cruise, and landing phases.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the update is the team’s claim that all showcased systems and features are already implemented and operational. The developers stressed there will be no placeholder systems or “planned for later” features at launch, stating that the aircraft will release as a fully complete product.
Vector 787-9 Ferry Flight Scenario
The team showcased a scenario of a ferry flight from Miami (KMIA) to New York (KJFK) with Boston (KBOS) as an alternate airport.
“Joining us toward the end of our flight on approach into KJFK via the iconic CAMRN arrival into New York, with the Navigation Displays presenting both lateral (LNAV) and vertical (VNAV) profile information as the aircraft progresses toward one of the world’s most recognizable approaches. If you look closely you can see the terrain profile lines on the VSD, even though it’s fairly flat out here and we are zoomed out to 80nm.”
“Everything shown across the flight deck is driven by live aircraft data in real time across the network. The NDs are not isolated visual displays, but part of a fully interconnected aircraft environment continuously reacting to aircraft state, navigation inputs, and flight management logic.”
“Every phase of the arrival is actively calculated and updated as the aircraft progresses through its flight profile into JFK.”
“Let’s check our approach into JFK on the EFB Terminal Charts page. We already configured our departure from Miami and arrival into New York, and selected KJFK for our charts. We’re currently on page 2 of 5 and reviewing the CAMRN 5 arrival. Everything is looking good.”
“With some thunderstorms in the New York area, it’s starting to slow arrivals. We’re carrying plenty of contingency fuel, however we’ve set up the diversion route to KBOS, our alternative airport, in Route 2 in case the weather gets worse. You can see on the DEP/ARR page both routes are entered and ready to be activated if we decide to divert. You can see that Route 2 has already been configured by the First Officer and is ready for activation, including origin, destination, predicted STAR, routing, and legs.”
“Once ready, we simply press Activate and Execute, and Route 2 immediately becomes the active flight plan, with all ND symbology updating dynamically in real time.”
The exterior previews continue to impress visually as well, with close-up shots of the landing gear, engines, tail structure, and wing flex system demonstrating the level of detail Vector is targeting throughout the aircraft.
Vector confirmed that development remains on schedule and that the aircraft is currently targeting a release towards the end of 2026.
Some elements, systems, and visuals shown remain work-in-progress and are subject to change throughout development.
More “Spotlight” development updates focusing on individual systems and technologies are planned in the coming months.
Stay tuned to FSElite for the latest updates.
