Hello there!
We’re here again with your monthly bulletin about the news and products that make X-Plane great. Get the down-low on using X-Plane betas, satisfy your need for all things X-Plane with a list of fan sites, and much more below.
Keep Calm with the 10.50 Beta
A couple of weeks ago we released the very first beta of X-Plane 10.50…and almost immediately our savvy users noticed a major issue: all the taxi lines were missing! Using a beta version of the simulator can often feel like an exercise in frustration. Things don’t always look right, or perhaps you can’t even get it started. Problems with betas are very real! Betas are not for the faint of heart, or for those who just want to enjoy a nice flight.
If you want to try using a beta to help us discover those pesky beta bugs, our recommendation is to make a copy of your existing, working X-Plane install. Run the installer and check the box to “Check for new betas” and update that copy you just made. Now if you get tired of beta problems, you can simply switch back to your perfect, working, original install.
If you find a problem while using the beta, please let us know about it by sending us a bug report on this webpage. That’s the only way to ensure we’ll know about your discovery. Here are some tips on how to send helpful bug reports. Please be as detailed and specific as possible, and always send a complete log.txt from your last flight. You can’t give us too much information, and we love screenshots.
So if you love trying to break software and figuring out what caused it, using the X-Plane betas might be for you. On the other hand, if you just want to enjoy X-Plane with as few issues as possible, your best bet is to wait, ignore the beta, and keep using 10.45. Everyone gets access to the new patch once it is finalized and out of beta, so you’ll have all the new features soon too, without all the stress!
(Note that Steam users only have access to the very last betas, called release candidates.)
Tips and Tricks
X-Plane.com is the official site by Laminar Research, but there are a lot of other sites out there on the web that are great resources if you just can’t get enough of X-Plane. Here’s a refresher list of some of the websites dedicated solely to all X-Plane, all the time.
- X-Plane.org – One of the longest running X-Plane sites, you’ll find tons of freeware here and the forums are a great place to go for knowledgeable support.
- X-Aviation.com – Featuring a comprehensive add-on store.
- X-Pilot.com – Closely connected to X-Aviation, here are more forums to discuss flight sim topics.
- X-Plained – One of the newest X-Plane-specific sites, a source for reviews, impressions, and tutorials.
- The X-Plane Freeware Project – As the name suggests, this site focues on freeware.
- X-Plane Pilots – The online social network for X-Plane.
Featured Add Ons
Payware
Take to the skies in one of the most iconic WWII fighter aircraft! Khamsin Studios recently released their North American P-51 Mustang that has ultra-high-resolution textures. It also features a super realistic flight model from X-Aerodynamics, dynamic pop up menus, and four liveries. Pick up your copy and dogfight with your friends!
Freeware
If you’re the adventurous sort, check out Dan Klaue’s Verticopter model based on a concept from Garrow Aircraft. The Verticopter is a “convertiplane,” which means it can convert itself from vertical flight to horizontal flight (and vice versa) while in the air. This massive verticopter collection includes 7 models and over 40 liveries.
A Note from Austin
Along with working on X-Plane 10.50, Austin Meyer has been working hard on the patent troll documentary. You can check out the intro of the film here on YouTube.
Happy flying!
— The X-Plane Team
