Just Flight has posted what it says will be the last text-based development update for its upcoming Fokker F70 and F100 Professional before the project shifts into pre-release video coverage. The team says the airliners are now in the final stretch of development, though no release date has been confirmed.
“We’re getting closer now but there’s still work to be done,” the developers note. “This should be the last of the written dev updates and next we’ll be moving on to those pre-release overview videos.” Those videos are expected in the first half of next month as the aircraft ramp up for release.
Complex builds, constant integration
Just Flight describes the current phase as “an exceptionally busy time,” with multiple builds arriving each week from coders, modelers, sound engineers, and livery artists. Each needs to be integrated across five variants and two simulator platforms, then tested for new features, bug fixes, and regressions.
The developers liken this to managing “an ever-moving jigsaw puzzle,” with project management now fully focused on bringing the moving parts together for release.
Systems taking shape
Several major systems are now complete:
- Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS): Fully functional with TAs, RAs, aural warnings, altitude trend indicators, and filters for above/below traffic, all controlled via a remodelled transponder panel.
- Weather Radar: Integrated with EFIS displays, showing precipitation severity in color-coded scales from green to red.
- Interactive speed flipchart: A returning feature from Just Flight’s other airliners, now tied to the aircraft’s weight and flap settings, with manual or automatic options through the EFB.
- Interactive paper checklists: Mounted on the yoke, with working backlight, clickspot navigation, and support for custom documents.
The Electronic Flight Bag itself has also been refreshed with a new black design and two mount styles (wall and window). Beyond payload and fuel management, the tablet handles configuration options such as fast/realistic IRS alignment, pilot model visibility, callouts, and sun visors.
Cabin simulation goes deeper
Just Flight has extended simulation into the cabin. Features include:
- Cockpit-to-cabin intercoms, call chimes, and working lights across functional handsets.
- Full cabin lighting control from the galley panel, including sidewall, ceiling, galley, emergency, and standby lighting.
- Digital music player with cabin announcements, covering safety briefings, boarding, seatbelt chimes, and even delay messages. These can be triggered manually or through “Auto Cabin Crew” automation.
This represents a step up in immersion compared to Just Flight’s earlier airliner projects.
The big three still in progress
Despite the progress, three interconnected systems remain under heavy development:
- Automatic Flight Control and Augmentation System (AFCAS)
- Autothrottle System (ATS)
- Flight Management System (FMS)
These are described as the “heart of the aircraft” and are being handled by a dedicated developer full-time. Just Flight notes these are among the most complex systems it has ever simulated, and video previews will be used to demonstrate their logic in action.
Real-world Fokker pilots remain closely involved in testing, particularly in clarifying behaviors not covered by official manuals—for example, how the aircraft handles waypoints with altitude constraints, which the real F70/F100 cannot directly process.
Sound and polish
Work also continues on the custom sound set, which now includes cabin announcements and pilot callouts. The developers say they won’t showcase the full soundscape until they’re confident with its fidelity but promise it will be “one of our finest to date.”
What’s next
With TCAS, weather radar, cabin features, and numerous interactive details already complete, the focus now shifts squarely onto the AFCAS, ATS, FMS, and sound package. The team believes this written update will be its last, with the next phase being overview videos and content creator previews.
In Just Flight’s words:
“We are proud with what we have achieved so far with the F70 Professional and F100 Professional, and we can’t wait to share more.”
