Kommende Addons, Devlogs und Release-Tracking.

My apologies for keeping you all waiting so long for this update. As my projects grow in complexity, and as I strive to experience more of these aircraft in person, development can appear to slow down at times, but I’m always working on new aircraft and features behind the scenes.

Although the Black Square Commander 114 will be the next of my aircraft to release, I would like to start with a long overdue update on the Twin Commanders. I recently developed a new full state saving system for the Twin Commander, and decided to add it to the 114 at the last minute. The system is based on the second of two state-saving methods available to me as a developer in MSFS. This system appears to have better consistency across multiple platforms, which gave me the confidence to add persistence to nearly every custom variable in the aircraft. For the Twin Commanders, this is 445 saved parameters, including failures, and 220 for the 114.

The new full state-saving system allows you to choose the level of persistence that you desire via three toggle switches on the tablet’s options page. The system also monitors the phase of flight to ensure that no inappropriate state is loaded; for instance, if you end your flight after a full shutdown and subsequently start a flight mid-air. All saved parameters have defaults for different phases of flight, or even time of day. If you prefer the default states you’re already familiar with in other Black Square aircraft, simply leave all three toggles deselected.

Another significant new feature added with the 114 are multiple new engine sound layers that depict subtle or severe, normal or abnormal, engine operating conditions. I found the effect of these sounds so convincing that they triggered subconscious knowledge of the engine’s state, which is a capability I hadn’t realised I developed during my real-world flying. Other real-world-inspired sounds include airframe vibration/resonance and nose gear shimmy.

You can expect several technical overview videos covering this aircraft’s new features in the coming days, as the release date approaches. Of particular note are the new avionics, hydraulic gear system and functioning stormscope. The aircraft also features two versions: normally aspirated, and turbo-normalised. The turbo-normalised version is additionally equipped with crew/passenger oxygen and an aftermarket air conditioner.

I’m particularly partial to the 114’s warm interior, which makes it feel like home during cross-country flights or sightseeing over cities at night.

Rather than post an exhaustive list of all the new features here, I hope you enjoy this faux magazine feature PDF that I couldn’t resist making for this cozy piston single. In addition to the Feature Highlights PDF, the full 154 page manual is also now available for perusal.

As is tradition, we also have our First Look video of the Black Square Commander 114 to signal the release of the manual and the beginning of previews from our fantastic community partners.

Honestly, I am not entirely sure how to start this post.

Our team has been dreaming up the Taylorcraft BC-12D since January 2025, and to everyone’s surprise, this has become a much longer development cycle than we typically have for a project.

Of course, it has not been full steam ahead on the Taylorcraft the entire time. Since development began, we also finished the AS 33 Me, started and released the Aeroprakt A-32 Vixxen, and began early development on two future aircraft. As most of you also know, our regular development cadence experienced a few setbacks due to the health issues I faced over the past year.

Through all of that, the Taylorcraft remained in active development, continuing to grow, change, and improve behind the scenes. Now, after more than a year of development, we are finally entering the last major stretch before release.

Before I begin, I do want to include a minor disclaimer: All of the previews you are about to see were captured in MSFS 2020.

There are two main reasons for this.

First and foremost, the Taylorcraft is the final MSFS 2020 project we are developing. We covered the reasoning behind that decision in a previous post and explained why the Taylorcraft is intended to be our final “Love Letter” to MSFS 2020. That is a substantial milestone for our team, so we want to take special care to highlight just how far a MSFS 2020 aircraft can still be pushed in an era dominated by MSFS 2024 technology.

Secondly, the MSFS 2024 Native version of the Taylorcraft is currently being dissected down to the nuts and bolts. Transitioning an aircraft from MSFS 2020 to MSFS 2024 typically goes much faster and with fewer complications once the original 2020 package is fully complete. Even then, it remains a massive undertaking, especially when you factor in new features such as Walkarounds, Avatar Support, Pre-Flight Features, an Improved Flight Model, expanded Electrical Systems, Career Mode Support, and other unique features only available in MSFS 2024.

With that said, please know that the Taylorcraft will release on day one as both a MSFS 2020 Legacy Aircraft and a MSFS 2024 Native Aircraft, including all of the expected enhancements and exciting features that 2024 has to offer.

So, let us begin!

This post will cover the proposed release date, locked-in pricing, aircraft details, feature breakdowns, and one last collection of previews before the Taylorcraft BC-12D officially launches.

We truly hope you are as excited to fly the Taylorcraft as our team was to build it!

Official Launch Details:
Yes, let’s get the important stuff out of the way first!

Proposed Release Date: July 31st, 2026
We are aiming for a Friday launch so everyone can spend the weekend exploring the skies together and sharing their favorite moments.

Platforms: PC and Xbox Series X|S
We also plan to release the Taylorcraft on PlayStation 5 once our team has been invited to publish on that Marketplace.

Storefronts: Our Official Website, Contrail and the In-Game Marketplace
We distribute exclusively through Contrail and Microsoft, so the Taylorcraft will not be released on any additional storefronts.

Price: $24.99 USD
The price will remain the same across our Official Website, Contrail, and the In-Game Marketplace. If you purchase the MSFS 2020 Version for use in MSFS 2024, you will receive the Native MSFS 2024 Upgrade for Free.

Day-One Availability: Synchronous Launch Across All Storefronts
The Taylorcraft will launch simultaneously on our Official Website, Contrail, and the In-Game Marketplace, with both the Legacy 2020 and Native 2024 packages available on day one. We are intentionally avoiding a staggered release between storefronts or simulator versions to reduce first-day support issues, purchasing confusion, and uncertainty between the different package options. Because this is a synchronized launch, our proposed release date may shift slightly depending on Microsoft’s ingestion and Marketplace approval timelines.

Got Friends Website & Contrail: Legacy 2020 and Native 2024 Packages Included
Your purchase will include both packages, allowing you to download and use the Taylorcraft in either simulator.

In-Game Marketplace: Legacy 2020 with a Free Native 2024 Upgrade, or Native 2024 Only
If you purchase the Legacy 2020 Version, you will be able to upgrade to the Native 2024 Version for Free. If you exclusively fly in MSFS 2024, you can instead choose to purchase only the Native 2024 Version.

Full List of Features:
No More Waiting, Here is the Extensive List of Features!

Main Enchilada:

• Four Unique Variants: Standard Wheels, Bush Wheels, Fixed Skis and Floats
• Two Engine Configurations: Continental A-65 (Standard/Skis) and C-85 (Bush/Floats)
• Authentic 3D Details: Meticulously designed 3D Model & Extras by the legend, mykrode!
• 20 Hand-Painted Liveries: 4K, High-Quality, and Made with Care by twoseventyinc!
• Advanced Flight Modeling: Derived from Real-Data and stress tested by Real Pilots
• Custom Sounds: Deeply Immersive Engine, Controls, Airframe, Drag & Foley Sounds
• Navigation Ready: Support for Working Title, PMS50 and TDS Systems on Day One
• Avionics Suites: Swappable Classic Radio, GNS-430, GTN-650 and GTN-650Xi
• Support Suites: Swappable Transponder, ADF System, Heading Indicator and CDI Gauge
• Full-Logic Autopilot: Got Friends Custom KAP-140 Autopilot System
• Custom Float Physics: Highly Detailed Float Physics with Realistic “Step” Behavior
• Custom Snow Physics: Highly Detailed Ski Physics with Real-Time Surface Detection
• Custom Skimming Physics: Glide your Bush Tires across any Body of Water
• Reactive Motion: Custom Physics allowing Real-Time Animation with Live Telemetry Data
• Craft Pad: Rich Interface with over 90 Custom Options. Make the Aircraft your Own!
• Permanence: Your Craft Pad Settings will follow your Aircraft Flight-to-Flight
• Frost, Icing, and Rain Visual: Don’t guess if your Icing over, watch it happen in Real-Time!
• Weight Loadouts: Adjust Weight for Pilot, Copilot & Cargo and View Visual Changes
• Adaptive Exterior: Antennas Change depending on your Chosen Avionics Suite
• Paddle Simulation: Grab your Paddle and make Fine-Tuned Movements before Anchoring
• Smooth Prop: Smooth Animations, Cylinder Cycling and Realistic Start-Up Sequences
• In-Sim Checklist: Checklists to help aid beginners in all Phases of Flight
• Wind Driven Generator: Attached to A-65 Variants to Provide Required Electrical Power
• Camera Views: Refined Camera Views for Instruments, Showcase & VR Support
• Hotkey Support: Carb Heat, Classic Radio, Hiding Yokes, Priming & More!

Optional Rice & Beans:

• Pre-Flight Gear: Fully Modeled Covers, Chocks, Tie-Downs and Anchoring System
• Engine & Fuel Gear: Interactable Cowling Doors, Fuel Caps with Refilling, and Oil Stick
• Ground Adjustable Propeller: Choose from 6 Pitch Settings from 32 Inch - 44 Inch
• Exterior Add-Ons: Wheel Pants, Prop Spinner, Registration, Hunting Bow and Antlers
• Interior Add-Ons: Hidable Yokes, VR Support, Fuzzy Dice and Classic or Modern Cargo
• Multiplayer Capable: View your Friends Aircraft with Animation and Customization Options
• Visual Effects: Custom Water Spray, Snow, Dirt, Damage, Sparks, and Aerobatic Smoke
• Prop Hand Start: Crank the Engine by Hand and watch the Cylinders Cycle in Real Time!
• Prop Drag Physics: Realistic Shutdown Propeller Drag and Windmill Engine Starting
• Fuel Sloshing Physics: In-Flight Physics Adjusting in Real Time with Fuel in Tank(s)
• Camera Head Motion: Camera Movement with Inertia, Gravity, Take-Off and Landing
• Prop & Latch Failures: Flying too hard or too aggressive? Latches & Propeller can Break!
• Weather Starting: Starting Requirements depending on Altitude, Temperature & Pressure
• Primer Simulation: Full Primer Support with Underprime, Overprime and Cylinder Cycling
• Carb Heat Simulation: Carb Lever to Support Cold/Hot Operation and Engine Icing
• Headphone Simulation: As always we build-in Headphone Dampening for Quiet Flights
• Additional Equipment: Installable Wet Compass, OAT Window Gauge and AOA Indicator
• Unique Dashboard: Customizable Locations from Primary & Secondary Gauges to Avionics
• In-Cockpit Tablet/EFB: Two Software Packages including Aera System and 2024 EFB
• Craft Pad Settings: Customize Font Size and Choose from 3 Themed Layouts
• Tablet Settings: Turn off Vibrations, Change Cockpit Positions, and Change Software Suite
• AOA Audio: Choose from Tone Callouts, Voice Callouts or No Callouts
• Engine Vibrations: Adjust Vibration with Ease for Hundreds of Interior and Exterior Items
• Extra Settings: Turn off the Stall Horn or Swap the Avionics Side-Layout in the Cockpit

That’s Everything on the Menu!
Now, We Just Need to Finish Cooking!

The Taylorcraft BC-12D has been one of the longest, most detailed, and most personal projects our team has ever developed. It challenged us, surprised us, and constantly pushed us to go one step further than we originally planned.

As our final aircraft being developed for MSFS 2020, we wanted to give the simulator one last proper sendoff. We wanted to push it to its limits one final time and show just how much life, depth, and possibility still exists within it. Looking back at everything we managed to build, refine, and squeeze into this aircraft, it has been a truly glorious adventure.

A special shout-out goes to our incredible Beta Testers. Their patience, feedback, late-night testing, bug reports, technical knowledge, and willingness to repeatedly fly the same scenarios helped shape nearly every corner of this aircraft. They challenged our decisions, caught the smallest details, and helped us transform the Taylorcraft from an ambitious idea into something we are genuinely proud to release.

We also want to thank everyone who followed the development journey, shared feedback, supported our team, and gave us the time needed to build this aircraft properly. Your patience allowed us to give the Taylorcraft the attention it deserved.

There is still a little work remaining as we complete the Native MSFS 2024 package and prepare everything for Microsoft’s Marketplace ingestion, but we are firmly in the final stretch.

The Taylorcraft represents the closing chapter of our MSFS 2020 development journey, but it also carries everything we learned along the way into the future.

We cannot wait to finally place it in your hands, watch everyone begin their own adventures, and spend launch weekend exploring the skies together.

Consider this our final love letter to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020…

Welcome to the Synaptic Simulations A220 by iniBuilds! Join us as we explore the unique characteristics of the A220, cover the fundamentals of operating the aircraft, and take a brief look at its history and more.

Stay tuned for more A220 tutorials, setup guides, and demonstration videos as we dive deeper into this versatile airliner.

Coming soon.

Unprecedented Depth: The BlueBird Simulations 757 Feature List

Hello everyone, and welcome to our new website! As we push closer to bringing this iconic airliner to your simulators, we want to give you an exhaustive look under the hood.

Our philosophy has always been to build an aircraft where systems aren’t just checked off a list, but dynamically interact with one another. Below, we’ve highlighted the massive core pillars that make our 757 a living, breathing simulation.

1. Deep Systems & Circuit Breaker Logic

We aren’t just simulating the “on” and “off” states. Our systems feature accurate power transfers, realistic relays, and a massive electrical backbone.

• Over 500 Circuit Breakers Mapped: At release more than 200 CBs will be fully functional at launch, mapped directly to their correct electrical buses, with 300 more already mapped and will be added over time.
• Dynamic Environmental Logic (ATA 21): The cabin isn’t a static environment. Passenger counts directly affect the cabin temperature logic. Open doors, wind, weather, and your pack configuration dynamically influence how hard you have to work to keep your passengers comfortable.
• Advanced Pneumatics (ATA 36): Features fully simulated cabin pressurization with two auto modes and one manual mode, driving an automated schedule through six distinct flight phases (Ground, Takeoff, Climb, Cruise, Descent, Landing).

2. Custom Avionics & Navigation

Built entirely from the ground up, our navigation and autopilot systems are designed for high-fidelity airliner operations.

Custom “Pegasus” FMC & Autopilot

Our custom-coded autopilot is bound tightly by real-world control laws across all three Flight Control Computers (FCCs). The FMC is modeled after the Pegasus version and supports:

• Full LNAV/VNAV with RNAV legs, holds, missed approaches, and go-arounds.
• Accurate autoland behavior and auto-trim systems.
• CDU Hardware & ACARS Integration: Full communication to MobiFlight for external hardware, alongside Hoppie ACARS integration supporting DCL and Air-to-Air messaging. SimBrief and Navigraph performance uplinks are fully supported.

“The autopilot isn’t just following a line; it interacts with the electrohydraulic servos and control laws to mimic real-world aircraft inertia and response times.”

3. A Living Cabin & Communication Network

Airline flying is a team effort. We’ve built an immersive communication network between the flight deck, ground crew, and cabin attendants.

• Three-Zone Flight Attendant Intercom: Flight attendants across three distinct zones will call the flight deck with requests, reminders to turn on seatbelt signs during descent, or alerts for uncomfortable cabin temperatures.
• Emergency Triggers: Attendants will react to critical situations, including passenger oxygen deployment and cabin altitude warnings.
• Intelligent Ground Calls: The GND CALL function works directly with your SimBrief flight plan and EFB boarding states to realistically manage and remove ground power.

4. True-to-Life Flight Dynamics & Soundscapes

A great simulation needs to feel and sound right. We’ve spent countless hours tuning both engine variants and recording real aircraft behavior.

• Dual Engine Modeling: Accurate performance tuning for both the Rolls-Royce RB211-535E and Pratt & Whitney PW2000 engine models, complete with custom Electronic Engine Control (EEC) logic and windmilling behavior.
• Acoustic Realism: Over 450 cockpit audio samples and hundreds of exterior/cabin samples captured with professional equipment.
• Dynamic Audio Environment: Electrical generator frequencies subtly alter the pitch of cockpit electronics, while engine acoustics shift dynamically depending on your precise seating angle in the cabin or airspeed.

5. Feature-Rich Electronic Flight Bag (EFB)

Your central command station. The EFB bridges the gap between hardware management and flight planning.

1. Aircraft State Presets: Quickly load into Turnaround, Ready for Taxi, Cruise, or a clean Cold & Dark state.
2. Maintenance & System Synoptics: Monitor main gear brake disc temperatures, RAM Air Turbine (RAT) deployment states, and interactive live schematics.
3. Weight, Balance & Ground Services: Manage everything from fuel trucks, catering, and progressive pushback tugs to detailed CG limits.

Release Date and Pricing

We know the question on everyone’s mind: When can I fly it?

We are still working incredibly hard and are fully on track for our Q3 release window. We are committed to delivering the level of depth detailed above right out of the gate.

When it launches, the BlueBird Simulations 757 will be priced at $80 USD.

Thank you all for your incredible patience and support. In the meantime, join our Discord server for some exclusive previews of the 757 on there! Stay tuned for our next update, where we will dive deeper into the FMC and show off some video previews of the 757 in action!

— The BlueBird Simulations Team

Experience one of the world's busiest and most iconic aviation hubs with our rendition of Chicago O'Hare International Airport (KORD) for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, developed from the ground up to deliver an exceptional balance of visual fidelity, operational realism and smooth performance.

You can buy it through the iniBuilds Store.

On July 15, 2026, we hosted representatives from iniBuilds and Synaptic Simulations on the MSFSOfficial Twitch channel for a special preview livestream of their upcoming A220 Airliner. If you missed watching the broadcast live on Twitch, you can now watch the VOD in its entirety here on YouTube.