X-Crafts recently published a new development update concerning their E-Jets Family for X-Plane, covering the beta release of the second release candidate for the long-awaited 1.1.0 update.

Now available in early access, update V.1.1.0-RC2 brings many new features, improvements, and fixes, including ILS autotune, which is demonstrated in the video below:

The new feature list also includes climb performance fine-tuning for the E170 and E175 - which now closely matches the real-world figures, FMS speed stability enhancements, VNAV recalculation improvements, and more. The complete changelog follows below:

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  Hardware

• Fixed: Inability to toggle reverse thrust on TCA Throttles
• Fixed: Speed command not going lower than 140kts

• Fixed: TO CONFIG check should now work fine also if flaps have been assigned to an axis in the hardware settings

FMS Speed

• Improved: Preventing premature trigger of descent speeds
• Improved: KIAS to MACH changeover should happen as soon MACH reaches our mach speed schedule
• Improved: Speed above 10000ft changes to the CLIMB speed linearly between 10,000ft and 12,000ft. Same for the descent
• Fixed: Going DIRECT TO inside a SID broke FMS Speed sequencing
• Fixed: Descent Speed is now triggered prior to reaching TOD as on real aircraft
• Fixed: Changing the speeds on FPL now works again. This adds a speed constraint, which must be lower than the Speed Schedule value
• Fixed: Speed constraints not being followed after a DIRECT TO
• Fixed: F bug for Flap 4 takeoffs showing wrong values

FMS

• Improved: Default Speed Schedules on PERF 3/3 have been defined.
• Improved: All speeds can be modified either by manual entry or by selecting the OR function for other Speed modes on the PERF3/3 page, or on the FPL pages.
• Improved: FMS Gross weight calculations improved
• Improved: If multiple same warnings appear on the scratchpad, only one CLR press is now enough to clear them all
• Improved: You can now type the exact name of your CO ROUTE file into the scratchpad and then insert it into  CO ROUTE field to insert it directly instead of selecting it from the list.some text
  • The name must match the .fms file name exactly, without the file extension.
  • For example, if the flight plan file name is KBOS-KJFK.fms, you should enter KBOS-KJFK into the scratchpad.
• Fixed: The top bar on the FMS Pop-Up was not visible in Cold & Dark state
• Fixed: TO DATASET values now reset properly after the FMS resets
• Fixed: 6-digit values on the ZFW and GROSS WT were visible out of the FMS Screen. This has been prevented
• Improved: FPL Page speeds should correctly reflect the current FMS Speeds
• Improved: Reselecting an approach or arrival, or reentering a new flight plan has been reworked to be more stable. The VSD should update accordingly to your new flight plan
• Improved: The TO PITCH on the TAKEOFF page now shows the correct value based on the flaps set for takeoff

Autotune + PREV

• Improved: Autotuning now happens at 150NM away from the destination airport, as per real aircraft
• Improved: If the route is shorter than 150NM, autotuning will happen at 50NM from the airport
• Improved: Autotuning is always followed by the automatic selection of PREV 1
• Improved: Autotune now only works if FMS is the active Autopilot mode
• Improved: Changing the Active NAV frequency will always disable FMS AUTO (autotuning)
• Improved: Changing from FMS to V/L manually will disable FMS AUTO
• Fixed: Autotune not working in X-Plane 11

THRUST RATING SYSTEM

• Improved:  TRS limits have been readjusted to better reflect the AOM climb performance
• Fixed: Thrust reduction from TO to CLB is linked to flaps lever. TO will now change to CLB if all these conditions were met:some text
  • Gear Up
  • Above 400 AGL
  • Any change in vertical FD mode (the VNAV AFE CAP for instance, or any other manual selection of VS or anything else)

Engine performance

• Improved: Ignition fixed to happen at the correct N2 value
• Improved: Climb engine performance

CLIMB PERFORMANCE

• Improved: Climb Performance and TRS limits for the E170 and E175
• Improved: Autopilot Pitch Constants for a more stable climb

VNAV

• Fixed: VNAV/TOD Altitude Issues - Death Dive
• Fixed: Airplane sometimes not starting descent at TOD
• Improved: Adjusted TOC indication to better match the actual performance of the aircraft. This will be fine-tuned with more data
• Fixed: Changing the arrival should no longer clear the waypoint altitudes
• Improved: Revising Altitude should be more reliable. This can be done on PERF 2/3 or by flying to a new altitude in magenta FLCH (VNAV level change) and the cruise altitude should update on the FMS once we are 200ft within the new bugged altitude.
• Fixed: The plane will no longer fly above cruise altitude if the ALT setting is set higher than the cruise altitude

Sounds

• Improved: Engine buzz added, most notably audible over 85%N1 and in the cabin near the engines
• Improved: Added additional prevention of accidental “Approaching Minimums” warning on takeoff

AUTOPILOT

• Fixed: Pressing FLCH right after takeoff should engage FLCH immediately. Before it selected FPA.
• Improved: Lateral deviation of the FD on takeoff is now limited to prevent twitchy movements

Cockpit

• Fixed: Windshield heating 1 and 2 not illuminated during ANNUNCIATOR TEST
• Fixed: The fire extinguisher bottle has an opaque gauge glass. It is now transparent again

VR

• Improved: FMS now pops up smaller
• Improved: PFD MFD and EICAS can be popped up as 3D pop-ups.
• Improved: Clicking anywhere on the EFB will pop it up in VR
• Improved: The top part of the yoke is now hidden as well when the yoke is hidden

3D models

• Improved: Improved the wing flex animations
• Fixed: The cabin curtain is no longer transparent from the service door side
• Fixed: Rubber around the door is not visible also from the outside

Fixed: There was a green edge on the cabin windows. This has been fixed

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Refer to their blog post for instructions on how to get early access builds. 

Stay tuned to Threshold for more flight simulation news!

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