The moment has finally arrived for us to share the Early Access version of our highly anticipated version 1.1.0 of our E-Jets Family which finally brings most of the big features the community has been asking for! This is the biggest update since the initial release, and this really brings the E-Jets to a whole new level of authenticity, and ease of use!
V1.1.0-rc1 is now accessible as an Early Access version through our Open Beta Program to all E-Jets Family customers.
Work in Progress disclaimer
- Our open beta allows you to test our latest features and fixes before they are officially released.
- Install at your own risk, this is a Work in progress version and you acknowledge that you may encounter issues or crashes. Although we have been testing this version for months and it should already be very stable!
How do I participate?
- Full information can be found on the official Open Beta Program page
- Any E-Jets Family customer can use the SkunkCrafts Updater to access the beta channel of the E-Jets.
- The updater allows you to access the beta versions, or backroll to the last stable version in seconds.
- Make sure you see a skunkcrafts_updater_beta.cfg file in your E-Jets product folder. If not, please run the updater to get it.
- You will have to reactivate your aircraft every time you try a new version. If you run out of activations, please send me a private message here with your activation key and I will add more to your account
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Please watch the video below that explains how to download the beta version:
ERRORS WHILE TRYING TO DOWNLOAD USING THE UPDATER
The updater might be showing you an old version of the aircraft. It might also show you a red error message about the configuration file missing or something similar.
WHAT IS CAUSING THIS?
In December 2023 we had to change our servers where the Open Beta files are stored and your issue is likely caused by you still having the old configuration file.
HOW TO FIX IT:
Step 1:
- Option 1: You can either delete the aircraft and redownload it from the store. This will give you the latest configuration files.
- Option 2: You can manually delete the old skunkcrafts_updater_beta.cfg file, then run the updater (with the beta channel disabled). This will then download the latest config file for you.
Step 2:
- Once you finished one of the two options above, you can re-enable the beta channel and update to the open beta version as explained in the video above.
Full v1.1.0-rc1 Release Notes
NEW FEATURES:
FMS SPEED
- The FMS Speed feature automatically sets the correct speed for the autothrottle setting throughout the entire flight, based on the phase of the flight, the aircraft configuration, or speeds defined in the FMS or SID/STAR speed limits.
- The FMS Speed must always follow the Speed Schedules (CLIMB/CRUISE/DESCENT) defined on PERF INIT 3/3 page unless overwritten by any limits that would limit the speed to a lower value. The limiting values are:
- Speed Schedule (Based on PERF INIT 3/3) - Highest speeds
- Manual waypoint speed entry (Defined by user)
- 10000ft Speed Limit (“250 below 10000”. Defined on the CLIMB Page)
- Departure Speed Limit or GO Around Speed Limit (Limiting speeds around airports)
- Flaps Speed limit (Set by the max flaps speed limits)
- Takeoff or Approach Speeds - Lowest speeds
- For a full description of how FMS Speed works, please see the manual.
ILS AUTOTUNE
- The Autotune feature will automatically load the correct NAV frequency into the radios based on the approach selected in the FMS. This happens 30NM out of the airport.
- Automatic Switch to V/L implemented: When the approach has been armed by pressing APP and the preview mode has been enabled by pressing PREV, the autopilot will automatically switch from FMS as the source for the AP to V/L (VOR/Localizer) when the lateral deviation of the approach is less than 1 dot. This means that the pilot no longer has to manually tune in the ILS frequency or switch from FMS to the LOC source manually.
STEEP APPROACH (Available on the E170 & E190)
- The steep approach system allows the aircraft to fly to London City airport or other airports that have approaches steeper than 3.5°. These approaches are thrilling and challenging!
- The steep approach system opens the speed brakes dynamically during the approach to increase drag and subsequently increase the throttle setting. This helps during a possible go-around.
BRAND NEW POP-UP SCREENS
- All screens now pop up as 2D pop-ups which can be popped out into a separate window.
- Click with the left mouse button to open.
- Click and drag with the left mouse button to move the screens around.
- Click with the right mouse button to close them. Many values on the screens can be directly changed by scrolling over them, like altitude, speed, HDG, etc.
OTHER NEW FEATURES
- Added halo effect to the landing and taxi lights for XP12.1
- The pilots ARE NOW ALIVE! They are now animated, with constant movement. They will also shake in turbulence, move with G forces on landing or turn their heads based on the pitch, roll and yaw.
- TERM indicator added to the PFD when we enter the Terminal area which is 30NM radial distance from the destination airport. This will disappear when you switch from FMS to V/L.
- Typical ITT temperature drop-off during the startup sequence added also in X-Plane 12, as on the real aircraft.
FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS:
FMS
- Fixed: TOD not updating correctly on the VSD after some flight plan changes.
- Fixed: The gross weight on the FMS now matches the gross weight on the STATUS MFD page.
- Fixed: FMS not showing all runways at KDEN and other airports.
- Fixed: A random CTD likely caused by an ETA prediction error.
- New: You can now use the Backspace key on your keyboard to clear any scratchpad messages. That means you can click them by pressing TAB - BACKSPACE - TAB.
- Fixed various minor FMS bugs
COCKPIT
- Fixed: Removed a glowing surface under the window at night.
- Fixed: The WX button on the GS panel had corrupted letters.
- Cockpit Dome Lights increased brightness to properly illuminate the cockpit.
- Fixed: Cockpit Dome Lights cast light but the actual light bulb was not on when on DC power.
- Fixed: Cockpit Lights and Cabin lights being on in Cold & Dark.
- Fixed: Issues with missing manipulators on the FMS radio knobs.
- Fixed: The right MFD manipulator now pops out the new pop-up MFD screen instead of opening the old pop-ups.
- Fixed: The erroneous overlapping AT DISCONNECT annunciator when changing from SPDT to SPDE.
AUTOPILOT
- Improved: Lateral and vertical Autopilot constants have been extensively fine-tuned to minimize overshooting of turns in LNAV or overshooting of the bugged altitude.
- Fixed: Trim didn't disconnect AP.
- Fixed: PTH is no longer available when switching from FMS to LOC2.
AUTOTHROTTLE (X-PLANE 12 ONLY)
- Improved: Fine-tuned AT constants for the millionth time, which should be more stable even during high winds. This should improve AT stability as well as approach descent rate stability.
- Please note that due to X-Plane's flight model calculations and the inability to set different AT constants for high speed and low speeds, every effort has been put into finding the right balance, but in certain corner cases, the AT may still experience a bit of overshooting or undershooting, just like on the real aircraft.
TAKEOFF AP MODES ENHANCED TO REFLECT REAL SYSTEMS
- Improved: FD increases pitch automatically based on the commanded speed as soon as the aircraft leaves the ground.
- Improved: Overhaul of ATTCS (Autothrottle Takeoff Control System). Revised to allow use of normal FMS Speeds for takeoff without the concern of inadvertent power loss on takeoff.
PFD
- New: Added Steep Approach indications.
- New: Vf speed bugs added to the speed tape.
- Improved: NAV Frequencies are now magenta if autotune is enabled on the FMS RADIO page. It will be green if autotune is disabled.
- Improved: The overspeed bar indication now show the correct setting whether we are in KIAS or MACH.
- Improved: Improvements to the FMA to reflect all ATTCS improvements.
- Fixed: TO Vspeeds sometimes not being visible.
- Fixed: Corrected the DME 1 Distance indicator on the PFD.
MFD
- Fixed: Fixed the Map being frozen and then crashing the sim in some situations
- Fixed: Changed some instruments being tied to the wrong brightness knob.
- Fixed: Transponder modes now work correctly.
- Fixed: The wind indications were showing wrong values. Any further issues are likely related to wrong data sent from X-Plane.
- Fixed: Fuel temperature data on the Fuel Synoptic page uses more accurate data.
- Fixed: Hydraulic temperature data on the Hydr Synoptic page uses more accurate data.
- Fixed: Safety valve on the ECS page showing OPEN in incorrect situations.
EICAS
- Improved: Cyan arch showing throttle request doesn't go beyond the TRS limit anymore.
- Fixed: Pitch readout on the EICAS showing 0 and 1 superimposed when the pitch was 0.95°.
- Fixed: APU Dashes not returning after first APU run
EFB
- Improved: Completely reworked the TO CG calculations, which should now always calculate the optimal Takeoff CG.
- Improved: The EFB will now prioritize loading the front cargo bay as on the real aircraft
- Fixed: Fix CTD when an invalid airport ICAO is entered and new input is made to other fields while the error alert box is shown.
- Fixed: Fixed CTD when entering wrong data into the wind field.
VNAV
- Improved: Adjustments upwards allowed to allow adjusting of any overshoots in level-offs.
FLIGHT MODEL (X-Plane 12 only)
- Improved: Aerodynamics have been fine-tuned to result in an even more accurate flight model.
- Improved: Weight and balance for all aircraft have been revised to match the AOM values. This was done in conjunction with the EFB W&B improvements to ensure optimal TO CG and prevent early liftoff during takeoffs.
- Improved: Extensive engine performance improvements have been done to achieve an even more accurate performance. Climb times now match the AOM values.
- Improved: Startup sequence was reworked and fine-tuned to get ever closer to the real values and times.
- Fixed: Made some changes which should fix the inability to start the engines also at high altitudes.
- Improved: Fuel flow has been fine-tuned.
- Improved: Added KEAS values needed for XP12.09+ flight models.
- Improved: Gear friction fine-tuned.
SYSTEMS (X-Plane 12 only)
- Improved: Improvements to the hydraulic system to take advantage of new X-Plane 12 features.
- Improved: Nose wheel steering has been slowed down from 1 to 3 seconds for the full rotation.
ANTI-ICE SYSTEM
- New: Improved the Anti Ice indications. ICE CONDITIONS messages added to the CAS warning section. Anti-Ice now shows ICE CONDITIONS when flying through clouds around 0°C. Ice will not form if it's raining or colder.
- Improved: The windshield ANTI ICE switches are now separated for left and right in XP12.
- Improved: Improved the Anti-Ice Page temperature values on the ANTI ICE synoptic MFD page.
- Fixed: Temp number on the right leading edge missing on anti-ice page in cold and dark
- Fixed: Anti-ice During Startup: Improvements have been made to eliminate engine startup issues at high-altitude airports.
SOUNDS
- Cockpit seat shake noise randomized pitch to sound slightly differently every time
OTHER
- Improved: Default X-Plane Autothrottle command is overridden by our custom command, so you don't have to reassign the command on your hardware.
- Fixed: TO CONFIG saying NO TAKEOFF FLAPS TRIM if only trim was wrong.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK BELOW!
AFTER 6 MONTHS OF WORK, WE'RE SUPER EXCITED TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS AND IMPRESSIONS!