After kicking off the year by confirming a 2026 release window, BlueBird Simulations has quickly followed up with specific targets, narrowing the Boeing 757 launch to the third quarter of this year.
While the early January announcement reassured that the project was moving forward at a brisk pace, this latest update serves as a statement of intent regarding the aircraft’s fidelity. In a video released today, BlueBird founder Shervin Ahooraei explicitly describes the system’s depth as “truly study level.”
A Defined Timeline: Q3 2026
The broad “2026” window announced earlier this month has now been tightened. Shervin stated that if he had to narrow it down, the team is targeting a Q3 2026 release.
The roadmap to that date is fairly rigid. The team expects to enter “Stage 2” of beta testing by April. Currently, the aircraft’s systems are reported to be over 90% complete (excluding the EFB), and the flight model is finished. The remaining development time is focused on wrapping up the FMS, engine systems, communications, and the supporting server infrastructure.
“Study-level” systems showcased
During the video, Shervin handed the floor to one of his programmers for a technical overview of the FMS.
Visually, the demonstration might have looked familiar to anyone who has used a standard airliner add-on: a developer clicking through a CDU and entering waypoints. However, the commentary described a backend simulation significantly more complex than standard “mid-level” fare.
The programmer detailed a custom position calculation system where the aircraft does not simply read the simulator’s perfect GPS coordinates. Instead, the 757’s Inertial Reference Systems (IRS) are said to simulate real-world gyroscopic precession and drift. The aircraft then uses a realistic hierarchy of sensors (DME/DME, VOR/DME, and Localizer updating) to “fix” that drifting position, just like the real airframe.
While the video didn’t visually demonstrate the drift in action, the description of this logic shows that BlueBird is aiming for a backend complexity that rivals the current market leaders, provided the final product matches these claims.
Boeing 767 will be an MSFS 2024 exclusive
BlueBird reiterated that the initial 757 release will be for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. It will work in MSFS 2024 on launch, but a fully “native” 2024 version, utilizing features like interactive exterior checks, will arrive later as a free upgrade for existing customers.
However, the team revealed a distinct split for their future roadmap: the upcoming Boeing 767 project will be exclusive to MSFS 2024.
Pricing and partnership with Just Flight
The developer confirmed the $80 price tag, which positions the 757 competitively against high-fidelity airliners. This price includes both the -200 and -300 variants, both engine options (RR and PW), and multiple wing configurations (winglets, scimitars, and standard tips).
Addressing recent confusion, Ahooraei also clarified that Just Flight is acting solely as a publisher for the 757. They are not involved in the development, distinguishing this project from Ahooraei’s personal contribution to Just Flight’s own upcoming A300.
