March 16th, 2023 Development Update

Asobo

• No Update This Week

Working Title / MSFS Avionics Framework

• MSFS Avionics Framework
  • We are preparing to release new documentation, source code and package code in conjunction with the Sim Update 12 release. A brief overview of the upcoming documentation is included below.
  • Remember you can find the MSFS Avionics Framework on GitHub here.
  • Upcoming framework updates:
    • Improved the IntrinsicElements interface for subscribables to match how we handle attributes in FSComponent. (AAU_02)
    • Expanded the ability to set classes dynamically on components by passing a class object that contains a boolean subscribable in addition to the class name in a single object. (AAU_02)

• Avionics Framework Documentation Updates:
  • In conjunction with the launch of Sim Update 12, we will be releasing the updated Avionics Framework and related documentation. Here are some highlights of upcoming framework features and documentation – more details will be shared next week:

• • Plugins Overview:
    • The Avionics Framework Plugin API supports two types of plugins: global plugins and airplane plugins. The two types are effectively identical at the code level and differ only in how they are loaded by the JS/HTML instrument. Global plugins are plugins that apply to multiple airplanes. Generally, these will be plugins that target a specific avionics system or related family of avionics systems as opposed to a specific airplane. Global plugins are tagged for loading by XML files placed in a pre-defined common directory and served to every instrument that supports plugins. Each instrument then chooses which global plugins to use based on the target declared by the plugins. Airplane plugins are plugins that apply to only one airplane. Airplane plugins are tagged for loading and routed to specific instruments in the airplane’s `panel.xml` file.
  • Aural Alert System and SoundServer:
    • The SDK class `SoundServer` provides an interface for playing sounds; this class allows you to queue sounds, play multiple sound events in sequence, loop sounds, and be notified when sounds are finished playing.  Aural Alert System is an Avionics Framework API which sits on top of ‘SoundServer’ and provides a more powerful interface for playing avionics-based aural alerts. This API aims to abstract away some of the queue and state logic associated with playing aural alerts triggered by specific conditions. By using Aural Alert System, you can focus on defining your alerts and their triggers instead of having to worry about the mechanical details of how to get sounds to play at the correct times and in the correct order.
  • CAS System:
    • CAS System is an Avionics Framework API that aims to provide a generic framework from which you can build a CAS (crew alerting system) for your specific avionics system. The API provides classes that handle much of the state logic involved in deciding which CAS alerts should be displayed. By design, the API provides limited support for actually rendering CAS displays since those details are largely avionics/airplane-specific.
  • G3000 Instrument:
    • The G3000 package was written to reproduce the Garmin G3000 and G5000 avionics systems in MSFS to a high degree of accuracy. In real life, G3000/5000 installations can be found in many different aircraft. Each installation shares a core set of features common to all G3000/5000 systems, but also often include numerous aircraft-specific options. Because of how extensive and detailed the aircraft-specific G3000/5000 options can be, it isn’t feasible to create a one-size-fits-all version of the avionics that could be dropped into any airframe. On the other hand, the G3000/5000 is complex enough that having to implement the entire thing for each plane would be very burdensome. To solve these issues, the G3000 package was created in such a way that allows it to be easily customized and extended. Our goal is for developers of G3000/5000-equipped planes to be able to use the package included in MSFS “as-is” while taking advantage of the provided API to tailor it to their specific needs – without ever needing to fork or copy the codebase.
  • GNS Instrument:
    • The GNS 430 and 530 package bring a new level of authenticity to these units in Microsoft Flight Simulator, but due to the inherent complexity of their operations they may pose a number of challenges that aircraft developers may have to adapt to for full integration.  This documentation explains the new options and configuration changes needed to use them.

 

On March 15, we held the preliminary heats of the MSFS Reno Air Racing Series. Seven racers qualified for the Grand Finals (the first-place winner of each of the four heats plus three wild card spots for the fastest non-winning times). The races themselves were intense, highly-competitive, and included many dramatic lead changes!

If you missed watching the event live, you can watch the VOD here. The Grand Finals will take place next week on Wednesday, March 22 at 1900Z. You can watch all the action and cheer on the racers live on our Twitch channel. The quality of the  competition should be very high given the close finishes we saw in the qualifying heats!

Joining our hosting panel for the finals will be popular flight sim streamer Chewwy94 and Greg Gibson from the Reno Air Racing Association. Congratulations to our seven qualified finalists, and good luck to all in the Grand Finals on March 22!

Community Video

You can submit your screenshot via Twitter with #MSFSchallenge or the Weekly Forum Post! This week’s screenshot challenge: City Skylines

This past week’s Screenshot Challenge was “Aquatic Aircraft“

Screenshot by HeKa48 (Forum)

Screenshot by HolmesCZ6127 (Forum)

Screenshot by Johnny_aircargo (Twitter)

Screenshot by mattgt933 (Forum)

Screenshot by MihamaBlend (Twitter)

Screenshot by mk89ns (Forum)

Screenshot by Parorng (Forum)

Screenshot by Stanty16 (Forum)

Screenshot by ukaka5656 (Twitter)

Screenshot by YusufWardana (Forum)

 

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NEXT DEVELOPMENT BLOG UPDATE – March 23rd, 2023

Sincerely,

Microsoft Flight Simulator Team