AirFoilLabs, the developers behind the highly acclaimed King Air 350 and the Cessna 172 SP, have released a development update on their website. It status the progress made with the C172 NG Digital version.

Part of the product comes with a sweeping rejuvenation across the board, starting with a brand new made-from-scratch 3D model that is more optimised with better polygon handling. Needs not be said, the model comes decorated with PBR (physically based rendering) textures and high-quality liveries. Users could customise their aircraft as it also includes visual modifications, such as vortex generators or wheel fairings. The development team has also worked on new sounds which is produced by recording high-definition sounds on a real C172 and integrating them into the simulator using FMOD. 

On the behavioural side, the developers have reworked the flight model based on recorded flight data and collaboration with C172 pilots and instructors; the new flight model now supports spin entry and recovery, ground effect, and control surfaces effectivity

The group has also developed new fully working systems. The new systems include but are not limited to an electrical system and engine system. The engine systems feature a 2D visualization of the engine cycles, realistic fuel consumption, CHT and EGT simulations.

They've added some efficient Quality of Life features, namely “Quick Look,” a feature that lets users switch between the default XPlane views efficiently. It uses the hat switch on a joystick. The product now comes with X-Plane aircraft's modern essential companion to the cockpit with the incorperation of an EFB with the integration of Avitab.

The team has also been working on a new failure system, this new system will add custom scenarios that users can experiment with. Some failures can be seen visually, which adds an excellent immersion:

On the note of release dates, announced that users should expect the C172 NG Digital version to be available this fall, rhis version will contain the G1000 avionics. Furthermore, the developers have also mentioned that they are working on an analog version; they've specified that the analog version would have the option to add other avionics suits, like the GTN 750. For the analog version, this will follow the release of the digital cockpit which slate it's release in 2022.

Finally, the recent developments in X-Plane such as the announcement of X-Plane 12 has brought the team to briefly clarify on product support; while they've developed the aircraft for X-Plane 11, they'll expect to do further work to support X-Plane 12.