Supercritical Simulations Group has released an update for their 747-8. The update will bring pilots improved FPS for Vulkan/Metal, alongwith improved visuals; new custom-designed external lighting and the addition of a RAT. Since the formation of Supercritical Simulations Group back in 2011, they have supplied the community with 2 main aircraft; The E-jets Series and the 747-8. These aircraft have been frequently updated since release and SSG’s latest product in development is the CRJ-700 for X-Plane 11, you can read more about the CRJ-700 in the previous article.
Here is a summarised feature list highlighting some of the features:
External Visuals
- FPS improvements in modern graphic APIs; Vulkan/Metal
- Revised external model with UV fixes
- Newly modelled details added across the aircraft
- Completely new PBR textures
- New custom-designed external lighting
- Added working Ram Air Turbine (RAT) and logic/systems
- Added electrical system dependency to certain cargo door operations
- Further detailing of Landing Gear modelling
- Improved particle system
Cockpit Visuals
- Improved lighting
- Fixed CDU and general instrument brightness
- Added crew lavatory and. crew rest to Pax version
- Further texture fixes
- Added more button sounds and animations
Systems
- Added RAT to the hydraulic system.
- Added second GPU for better system behaviour
- Updated the automatic connection between electrical sources and bus ties
- Updated fuel, hydraulic, electrical, and other synoptic pages
- Improved the EICAS advisory message behaviour and reset button function
- Added/revised fuel advisory message
- Added emergency lights message
- Fixed engine #3 starting/shutdown logic
- Fixed and revised the external lights system and its power sources
- Updated behaviour of the leading edge flaps and spoilers/speed brakes
- Added pitch limit indicators to PFD
- Added fuel and electrical dependencies
- Updated wiper system
- Updated some system sounds + new sounds
- Fixed some manipulators such as vertical speed dial and autopilot disengage
- Fixed flaps up command for VREF + 100
FMS
- Increased the route legs list to 25 pages.
- Improved RTE 1 and RTE 2
- Improved Navigation Display (ND)
- Improved VNAV and LNAV logic
- Fixed throttles when advanced
- Fixed a bug that when STAR was changed, LNAV control was negatively affected
- Fixed an error where the magenta track was off centre when the ND range was set at less than 2.5 miles
- Fixed error when autopilot changed from FLCH to V/S mode etc
- New ND terrain display with automatic terrain detection
- Improved holds to be more accurately flown
- Fixed airways entering, which was not recognised in some situations
- Improved the FD bars to be more accurate during takeoff and prior to autopilot mode connection
- Improved steps as displayed on ND in MAP mode
- Added green range arc during the climb
- Fixed Index page with LK6 opening an incorrect page
- Fixed some STARs that did not appear in the last DEP/ARR pages
- Fixed the autopilot not following some SIDs properly
- Improved stability with strong crosswinds
Tablet
- Fixed some click areas
- Improved fuel load sequence to match real loading behaviour
- Added cargo lightbox switches for Freighter
- Added “Cold and Dark”
Current users of the SSG 747-8 can update their aircraft in the SkunkCraft Updater. If you’re interested in getting the aircraft, the SSG 747-8 is priced at $48 and can be purchased from the X-Plane.Org Store. For the full announcement and feature list, visit the Forum Thread.
Thanks to Cameron for tipping us off with the update in the Threshold Discord Server