Contrail has released the second development update for its Dassault Falcon 50 project for Microsoft Flight Simulator. While the team is still holding back on showing too many screenshots (only one made it into this update), there’s plenty of detail about where development currently stands.
The big news here is that the Falcon 50’s flight model and sound package have completed their first development phase. Next stop: evaluation by real-world FA50 pilots. Contrail says this round of testing will be key to refining both performance and audio fidelity, which should reassure simmers who want the aircraft to behave and sound like the real trijet.
On the systems side, Contrail reports that avionics and core features are “close to completion.” The walkaround mode in MSFS 2024 is already up and running, complete with chocks, engine covers, and pitot tube covers.
MSFS 2024 brings an enhanced EFB
For Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 users, the Falcon 50 will lean on the sim’s default EFB, but with a twist: Contrail is building in a custom app. This will handle weight and balance calculations, ground services, and other utilities. The team also confirmed Navigraph support, which should make flight planning smoother.
Automatic cabin blinds
Only one preview image was included in this update, and it’s not of a shiny cockpit panel or exterior render—it’s the cabin blinds. The blinds can be manually adjusted and even react automatically to factors like time of day and altitude. It’s a small touch, but one that shows how much attention is being paid to cabin detail.
With flight model testing about to involve actual FA50 pilots and systems nearly ready, Contrail’s Falcon 50 is edging closer to the point where simmers can start imagining it on their own flight plans. The developer isn’t showing much just yet, but the details they are revealing suggest this trijet might arrive with a few surprises still up its sleeve!
