The classic Airbus remains in development for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. The October 7 update gives fans a closer look at a project built around passenger and cargo operations—and a flight deck with plenty to keep its crew occupied.
Six Variants Cover Passenger and Cargo Flying
The planned package includes:
- A300B4-103 — GE-powered passenger aircraft
- A300B4-103F — GE-powered freighter
- A300B4-120 — Pratt & Whitney-powered passenger aircraft
- A300B4-203 — GE-powered passenger aircraft
- A300B4-203F — GE-powered freighter
- A300B4-220 — Pratt & Whitney-powered passenger aircraft
Just Flight notes a limitation for the Pratt & Whitney versions: they will feature accurate external JT9D engine models and sounds, but available documentation does not support a complete high-fidelity simulation of that engine type.
Testing Continues Behind the Panels
The team is refining aircraft states and an automated flight engineer. Freighter artwork also remains in progress.
For pilots interested in classic airliners, the appeal is the workload: preparing the cockpit, understanding the systems and staying ahead of the aircraft throughout a flight.
There should be ample opportunity to learn what the switches do before discovering why the warning lights are on.
Research Supports the Aircraft’s Character
Just Flight’s latest announcement also highlights a research visit to the Aeroscopia Museum in Toulouse by Head of Development Martyn.
That work supports the recreation of an aircraft from a different era of airline operations. The attraction for virtual pilots is as much the experience of operating it as the opportunity to revisit familiar routes in historical airline colors.
Readers planning their next airline rotation can also explore our coverage of FlightSim Studio’s E-Jets release and OnTime Turnaround’s schedule-based flying.
Development Continues Ahead of Release
The October update does not provide a firm release date.
Pilots can follow the project through Just Flight’s A300B4 Professional development page and view the research video linked in its October announcement.
For now, the classic Airbus is still being prepared for service. Fans have a clearer picture of what is coming—and a good reason to leave some room in the virtual hangar.
