Working Title updates the Cessna CJ4 mod, brings improved sounds, VNAV, and more

The Working Title CJ4 is currently one of the best aircraft mods for Flight Simulator, dramatically improving on the default airplane in many ways. We’ve talked about it before, and now there’s a new beta version (v0.8.0) that brings some much awaited new features. And there’s a video showing it all here:

Among the most important new capabilities in the CJ4 is fully functioning VNAV, but the team says this is an overall huge update to the aircraft, with an enormous navigation system overhaul, a full FADEC and audio improvements. The CJ4 is now an excellent airplane to embark on the most demanding IFR flights, allowing you to follow the most demanding procedures.

Alongside this new version, Working Title also released a series of materials to help understanding what’s new. There’s a handy new document with an overview of VNAV Operations, and also a video showing how to do VNAV descents and RNAV approaches:

You can download the latest version of the CJ4 on Working Title’s GitHub page. The changelog for this new v0.8.0 is long, but worth a look:

Key Features

• Custom Flight Plan Manager
• Vertical Navigation (VNAV)
• FADEC
• Custom Lateral Navigation
• RNAV capability with LPV
• Improved FMA Display
• Sound overhaul (WIP)
• PFD/MFD improvements (a lot)
• Map improvements
• Many many more…

Custom Flight Plan Manager

• Independent from MSFS flightplan
• Much improved procedure data, even when using the stock NavBlue data
• Modifiable approaches
• Appropriate discontinuities
• Direct-to to any fix on the plan at any time
• Correct vectors, heading-to-altitude, and intercept legs

Vertical Navigation (VNAV)

• Full support of all CJ4 VNAV modes including VVS, VFLC, and VPATH
• Continuous vertical path calculation
• Display of vertical path snowflake
• Display of required vertical speed donut to meet next restriction
• Display of TOD on the map
• Overhauled altitude modes including ALTS and ALTV
• Ability to add custom altitude restrictions in FMC LEGS page

Lateral Navigation

• New lateral navigation over the top of existing AP
• Greatly improved bank response and turn performance
• Supports correct discontinuity behavior
• Compatibility with the new Flight Plan Manager
• Much improved ILS APPR capture success rate

RNAV

• Ability to fly RNAV procedures at all times
• Correct sensitivity scaling for the enroute (2NM), terminal (1NM), and approach phases (.3NM)
• Correct PFD annunciations for navigational sensitivity
• Full LPV approach support, including correct increasing angular sensitivity as distance to threshold decreases
• Full AP support of APPR and GP modes for RNAV approaches

FADEC

• Proper flat rating of engine for consistent performance at varying field elevations and temperatures
• TO and CLB throttle detents with indication on MFD N1 display
• FADEC properly targets increasing thrust curve and N1 with altitude in CLB
• Full CRZ throttle range

FMC

• Reserve fuel can now be changed
• Revised the format of the FLPN page to better match the real unit, especially for approaches
• Approach ref temp of zero can now be entered

Engines

• Light now off occurs at 12% N2
• Performance adjustments to fit climb profile using FADEC

PFD/MFD

• Complete overhaul of the PFD Flight Mode Annunciator to match the correct CJ4 mode symbology
• IAS hold will now automatically switch to Mach when the values are the same
• IAS/Mach button switch now captures current mach number
• Added ability to adjust BARO minimums and added minimums aural callout
• Added altitude capture aural alert and flashing altitude selection indicator
• Added FMC waypoint sequence alerting: waypoint ident and distance will flash 5 seconds before sequencing
• Course needles now smoothly swing to position as per the real display
• Fixed an issue where the upper panel knob also controlled menus in the MFD
• Added Radio Altimeter (visible at 2,500′ AGL and less)

PPOS/PLAN map

• Added “NO FLIGHT PLAN” to ROSE/ARC modes when no flight plan detected
• Added “DISCONTINUITY” to ROSE/ARC modes when discontinuity is reached
• Icons updated for airports, waypoints, and intersections
• Added correct label font and sizing for map labels
• Procedures should now be drawn more accurately to how they appear in the procedure charts
• Temporary flight plans (modifying a route) now displays as a dashed white line

New Sounds (work in progress)

• Engine exterior and interior run, start, stop
• Avionics fans
• Spoiler drag, Gear drag, extend, retract
• Cockpit wind and rain
• FMS, AP panel, DCP, CCP, and soft buttons
• Aurals (Altitude Alert, Minimums, AP disconnect, Caution/Warning, Landing Gear, Pull up, Overspeed, Sink Rate, Don’t Sink)
• Removed TAWS System Test (To be replaced with accurate sound)

Misc

• New camera presets (pax, lavatory etc.)