Development Update 09/15/2025
FMS refinements, VSD upgrades, Navigraph support, and a custom autopilot take shape.
We're back with a bigger, deeper progress report on the AFL 737 MAX for X-Plane 12. This update focuses on FMS and display logic, two cockpit modeling milestones, and a peek under the hood at our custom Autopilot & Autothrottle work. As always, we're keeping the tone practical and pilot-facing so you can see exactly what's improving in the flight deck.
Airfoillabs Team
Flight Management System (FMS)
Arrivals Page - Clearer, Faster, Safer
We've refined the ARRIVALS page logic and visuals to make selecting STARs, transitions, and verifying altitude/speed constraints smoother and less error-prone. The interaction flow now encourages "left-to-right" verification and calls out common pitfalls during transition selection.
Vertical Situation Display (VSD) Upgrades
Destination runway on profile, so you can evaluate the last miles of the path at a glance.
Approach glideslope and minimum-altitude gates drawn right on the profile to aid energy management and clearance awareness.
Terrain depiction improved for better stability and readability, especially when the profile and terrain converge near the FAF or step-downs.
Why This Matters in Daily Flying
Quicker STAR setup with fewer "re-edits" after the first route build.
Cleaner descent planning - VSD cues make it easier to stay inside published gates while keeping a sensible energy state.
Terrain and path are now "one picture," reducing head-swivel between map, raw data, and notes.
PFD & HSI Display Improvements
Glass Suite Nearing Completion
PFD/HSI now render essentially all relevant symbology and data used in normal ops, including failure flags, annunciators, and validity cues.
We've polished edge cases (e.g., attitude/loc/gs flags during fast mode changes) and tuned how flags/annunciations appear and clear so they behave like the real units.
Pilot-Visible Wins
Better scan discipline: flags and messages show up when they should - no early/late flicker.
More confidence when flying raw-data approaches or partial-panel scenarios.
Navigation Data
Navigraph Data Support
We've wired in support for Navigraph's global nav database for X-Plane 12. This means worldwide procedures and navaids with ongoing AIRAC updates. We're already in direct contact with Navigraph to validate edge cases and ensure the integration is robust.
Procedure Parsing Fixes
We corrected mis-interpretations that affected a handful of transitions. Result: cleaner routing continuity, fewer "vector-like gaps," and more predictable constraint handling on complex SIDs/STARs.
What This Unlocks
Fly current procedures anywhere, aligned with your other Navigraph-enabled tools.
Better behavior on tricky transitions that used to need manual cleanup.
3D Cockpit: Aft Overhead Panel
All animations and manipulators are finished. Every switch, guard, and rotary now moves with authentic travel and detents, and all manipulator logic is in place for both 2D and VR interaction. Panel text, backlighting, and tactile affordances were tuned for "reach-and-flip" accuracy.
What to expect:
Positive, consistent clicks and guarded actions that feel natural.
Fewer "missed" inputs thanks to refined hotspots and lever geometry.
Aft Overhead Panel Preview
3D Cockpit: Mode Control Panel (MCP)
Animations & UI Logic Complete
All switches and knobs are functional with the correct semantics.
All number windows are implemented and driven by the MCP logic.
We built a custom, pixel-sharp font so every digit in the windows stays crisp across zoom levels and VR head positions.
This MCP work lays the foundation for the custom Autopilot & Autothrottle now in development.
Usability Polish You'll Feel
Knob acceleration and detents tuned so you can make large changes quickly, then fine-tune without overshooting.
Window updates follow the correct blank/unblank rules for speed/altitude when specific modes are active.
Mode Control Panel Preview
Autopilot & Autothrottle: Custom Development in Progress
We've moved from MCP "front-end" work into the brains behind it: a study-level AFDS (Autopilot/Flight Director System) with an integrated Autothrottle. This is a complex area touching engagement gates, capture/track algorithms, mode transitions, reversion/protection logic, and dual-channel approach/flare/rollout sequencing. It's actively under development and will be expanded and tuned over multiple passes.
For the Nerds (Short & Sweet)
Our AFDS runs two coordinated mode stacks (roll & pitch) alongside an A/T implementation. We use only some of X-Plane's default AP so we own captures, transitions, and protections; drive a three-column FMA (A/T | Roll | Pitch); and implement 737-style engagement rules, transitions, and reversions. Targets include LNAV/VNAV (SPD/PTH/ALT), LVL CHG, V/S, approach logic (LOC then G/S), dual-channel autoland (FLARE/RETARD and ROLLOUT as installed), minimum-speed/overspeed protections, and full go-around with the two-press thrust scheme.
What's Next
AFDS: expand and tune LNAV/VNAV capture logic, ALT/SPD INTV behaviors, and approach coupling; continue validation runs for reversion/protection gates.
A/T: build out mode set and safeguards (N1/MCP SPD/FMC SPD/THR HLD/GA/RETARD), lever physics, and split detection.
Navdata QA: ongoing checks on edge-case transitions while we coordinate with Navigraph.
Cockpit polish: continue backlighting passes and tactile tweaks across the MCP and aft overhead for consistency in 2D/VR.
Thanks for flying along with us. Your enthusiasm and feedback keep us sharp.
Clear skies,
Juraj, Airfoillabs
AFL 737 MAX is an independently developed add-on for X-Plane, not affiliated with or endorsed by any aircraft manufacturer. Full disclaimer
