RetroWings SA227 Metroliner for X-Plane 12 Nearing Beta
Quick summary· AI-generated
RetroWings shared progress on their SA227 Metroliner study-level addon for X-Plane 12, confirming beta testing will begin within 2–3 weeks. The aircraft features full system fidelity including custom Garrett TPE331 turbine engine simulation (start sequences, torque behavior, fuel scheduling, temperature dynamics, propeller governing, negative torque sensing, and failure modes), comprehensive electrical and hydraulic systems developed by Amy Parent with circuit breaker and pressure-loss behavior, and fuel/bleed/pressurization systems with interdependencies and realistic failure propagation. RetroWings also included 280+ preview images and noted a state-save system to prevent progress loss from crashes.
Excerpt from Threshold
RetroWings, also known as Retro Wings, has shared a press release detailing progress on their upcoming Metroliner for X-Plane 12, confirming that beta testing is near.
They also shared a whopping 280+ (!) images if you want something to look at.
“After several years of intensive work, the Retro Metro is entering its final stages”
All major systems, art and sound work are in the final stages, and RetroWings is targeting the start of beta testing “within the next two to three weeks”.
RetroWings says their goal is to faithfully represent the SA227 Metroliner across all systems and flight characteristics, noting that “everything” is simulated.
Garrett TPE331 Powerplant
For the Garrett TPE331 engines, RetroWings has taken advantage of X-Plane’s custom turbine engine simulation library, “libturbine,” and says it includes “every operational characteristic” of the real TPE331, including start sequences, torque behaviour, fuel scheduling, temperature dynamics, propeller governing, and negative torque sensing.
The full range of failure modes are also modelled, RetroWings says.
Electrical and Hydraulic Systems, Avionics
Developed by Amy Parent, the electrical and hydraulic systems on board are modelled to “full operational fidelity”, and RetroWings says “every bus, every load, every generator behavior, every hydraulic circuit and its dependencies” are simulated.
They also note that system failures will realistically propagate and affect other systems, that circuit breakers behave “as they should”, and that hydraulic pressure loss will produce downstream effects.
The “Retro Metro” also includes custom avionics and a suite of immersion features that RetroWings says they will reveal later.
Fuel, Bleed, and Pressurisation
Built by Ilias, the same developer behind the avionics, the fuel, bleed air, and pressurisation systems have also been recreated in detail, RetroWings says.
Fuel flow, crossfeed operations, tank management, and fuel-related failures are all implemented, with realistic fuel loss behaviour.
A custom bleed air system, pressurisation, and anti-ice system have been developed with interdependencies, and they should behave as they do in the real aircraft.
Failures propagate from one system to another, surfacing in one area and causing symptoms in the next, RetroWings says.
State saving system
RetroWings has also built a safeguard against crashes, a state save system, which autosaves the aircraft’s state in flight, and lets you reload in…
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