Leonardo Softhouse

Leonardo Softhouse has updated its Fly the Maddog X to version 2.0b778 as part of an open beta phase. The freely available update for owners of the 64-bit edition of the aircraft can now use various brand new features such as integrated voice controls, custom events, CPDLC operations and much more.

The first exciting new feature that comes free with this update is exclusive to Prepar3D v5 users. The new update enables you to use voice commands for all operations within the aircraft. This includes the flaps, landing gear, flight guidance and more. All of this is done through the new speech recognition engine included with Prepar3D v5. Whilst this is still an experimental feature, the manual has been updated to include everything you need to know about the new voice controls. In addition, you can also assign various event commands using any of your hardware directly through the Fly the Maddog X manager. You can sync up command in real-time without the need to restart the simulator.

Further to the voice and custom commands assignments, The Fly the Maddog X now includes full CPDLC operations for both IVAO and VATSIM. Using the Hoppic ACARS network, you can now get real-time information send directly to your cockpit, including data such as METAR and ATIS information through a variety of sources.

The final new feature highlighted by Leonardo Softhouse is the missing 2D windows for the CM2 side in the View Manager panel. This includes all the hotspots found in the 3D model, including a zoomed PDF, ND and FMS.

Whilst this is an “open beta” release, the team are still keen to get your feedback before making the official full installers and sending them to simMarket for all customers to get. In the mean time, if you want to try out the new features first, then you can get the incremental installers from the Fly the Maddog X forums.

Prepar3D v4.4/v4.5 installers

Prepar3D v5.0/v5.1 installers

You can read more about the update on the forums, or check out the changelog down below. The Fly the Maddog X from Leonardo Softhouse was well-reviewed when we checked it out several years ago and it has been continuously improved many, many times since then. They also have their expansion pack available too which adds the MD-83 and MD-88. 

Leonardo Softhouse has shared on a dedicated Facebook page screenshots and a short video of their upcoming Electronic Flight Bag for their FlyTheMaddogX add-on. The previews shows the EFB in use with the Navigraph Charts. Stefano Porrà, one of the Leonardo developers, further stated that the EFB would include a take-off performance calculator. The full list of feature will be announced later.

On a side note, the developer further added will be given for FREE to all users (64 bits) through an update, and not included in an upcoming Training Edition, hinting in this way what the next expansion would be for the FlyTheMaddogX. No further details regarding this expansion were given either.

Make sure to stay tune on FSElite for further exciting news regarding the Leonardo FlyTheMaddogX.

If you don’t already own these aircraft, you can pick up the base packs from simMarket in a cost range varying from €57 to €95 depending on which variant you wish to buy.