X-Plane 12.4.0 Release Notes

Merry Christmas and welcome to X-Plane 12.4.0 – our C-Check Update!

We added native support for the excellent Tobii Eye Tracker 5 on Microsoft Windows, a new version of our beloved Airbus A330-300, improved Avionics such as the X430/X530 and X1000 and last but not least a new custom airport.

Oh, we also added multi-threaded scenery processing…

NOTAMS

Version History

Release Date: January 29, 2026

Aircraft

Airbus A330-300

• Fixed an issue where arming LOC mode would switch to HDG mode (XPD-17688)
• Fixed an issue where to autopilot auto-engaged back-course. Back-course should be engaged either by entering “B” for the course on the RADNAV page, or automatically as part of auto-tuning for a LOC back-course approach that is in the flight plan.

Graphics

• Improved logging in case of a device loss error

User Interface & Controls

• Added new menu item “Settings” to the file menu
• Fixed some translation related issues (XPD-17733)
• Blacklisted SAM plugin due to many crashes
• Fixed various crashes

Release Date: January 23, 2026

Aircraft

• Fixed a crash when starting a flight using the Grumman F-14 Tomcat with AI Aircraft in place

Avionics & Radio

• There will be no longer a huge FPS penalty when popping out an avionics instrument (XPD-16890)
• Fixed ATIS Frequencies (XPD-17705)

Graphics

• Fixed scenery flicking when using popped out windows (XPD-17621)

User Interface & Controls

• Show ramps and runways correctly when returning from the special starts view back to the airport view (XPD-17706)

SDK

• Improved error logging and handling
• Fixed function XPLMIsCursorOverAvionics
• Fixed 3d mouse cursor callbacks of custom devices
• Fixed a crash when right-click dragging out of a custom device manipulator
• XPluginReceiveMessage will be called with the correct plugin id now, when a plugin requests TCAS/AI control (XPD-17713)

Release Date: January 19, 2026

Aircraft

• Fixed an error where the landing gear indicator lights were broken on fixed tailwheel planes (XPD-17687)
• Fixed an issue where the flight plan route was not shown correctly on EFIS Maps (XPD-17691)

Airbus A330-300

• Various smaller improvements and fixes
• Fixed an issue where the “Managed Dot” on the altitude indicator did not extinguish when reaching cruise altitude (XPD-17391)

Graphics

• Fixed an issue where the sky wasn’t drawn correctly (XPD-17690)

User Interface & Controls

• Fixed a crash when the user slewed an aircraft on the map with chocks set (XPD-17680)
• Fixed an issue where the camera position wasn’t populated correctly to the corresponding datarefs (XPD-17694)

VR

• Fixed an issue where the radial menu was hanging sometimes (XPD-17686)

SDK

• Improved error handling in case of unexpected behavior of plugins
• Improved stability of SDK in case of plugin errors (XPD-17697 & XPD-17689)

Release Date: January 10, 2026

Aircraft

Airbus A330-300

• Fixed the display of QNH on the PERF APPR PAGE of the MCDU (XPD-17627)
• Always allow the entry of values on the PERF APPR PAGE regardless of the current flight stage (XPD-17634)
• Fixed an issue where selecting heading mode would disable ALT CRZ (XPD-17673)
• Fixed several drawing issues on the ND
• Improved autopilot turn rate
• Enabled CLR button on the transponder
• Several other minor improvements

ATC & Radio

• Fixed missing ATIS for some airports (XPD-17630)

Avionics

• Fixed an issue where wind speeds greater than 99 knots would not be displayed correctly on the X1000 (XPD-17651)

Scenery

• Updated global airports to fix various mesh issues (e.g. VNLK – Tenzing-Hillary / Lukla Airport)
• Improved docking behavior of Ground Vehicles

User Interface & Controls

• Added a new dataref to indicate if Tobii Eye Tracker is enabled (sim/graphics/view/eq_tobii_eyetracker)
• Fixed 10 nm approach startup option (XPD-17640)
• Fixed a crash when using the first monitor as a 2D panel only (XPD-17629)
• Fixed an issue where mouse clicks where not handled correctly when using 2D panels fullscreen (XPD-17644)
• Several stability improvements

VR

• Fixed an issue where MSAA 8x caused visual distortion (XPD-17573)
• Fixed an issue where FXAA caused rendering issues on the right eye screen (XPD-17638)

SDK

• Fixed a crash when closing windows created by plugins (XPD-17624)
• Fixed an issue where calling XPLMCreateProbe could cause a crash (XPD-17652)
• Improved internal handling when subscribing to resizable arrays using the WebAPI

Release Date: December 19, 2025

Major New Features

• Multi-threaded scenery processing: X-Plane now uses multiple CPU Cores to prepare scenery for rendering, resulting in substantial performance improvements on certain setups, especially in dense scenery areas
• Native Tobii Eye Tracker 5 support: Full integration with Tobii head & eye tracking hardware (Microsoft Windows only)
• ACARS support via third MCDU: When flying on VATSIM or using the ATC system, you can now request weather, ATIS, and pre-departure clearance through the third MCDU
• New custom airport: LEBB – Bilbao Airport
• Updated aircrafts: Airbus A330-300 and Cirrus SR22
• Updated avionics: X430/530 and X1000

Aircraft

Airbus A330-300

Performance Improvements

• Refactored all XLua scripts for significant performance gains
• Updated to brand new XLua binaries

Electrical System – Complete Overhaul

• All-new electrical system architecture with proper bus modeling:
  • AC buses: AC1, AC2, AC ESS, AC ESS SHED, AC ESS GRND, AC LAND RCVRY, AC SRVC 1, AC SRVC 2
  • DC buses: DC BAT1 HOT, DC BAT 2 HOT, DC APU HOT, DC BAT, DC APU BAT, DC1, DC2, DC ESS, DC LAND RCVRY, DC SHED LND RCVY, DC SRVC
• Electrical Contactor Manager Unit now manages bus bar contactors with accurate status reflection on ECAM AC/DC pages
• Static Inverter converts battery power to AC
• Emergency Generator and RAT (Ram Air Turbine):
  • Emergency generator runs off hydraulic pressure from green system
  • RAT drives the green hydraulic system
  • Full emergency electrical configuration logic with bus shedding
• Transformer Rectifier Units convert AC to DC
• Battery 1 now properly powers the aircraft
• All annunciators refactored to use their appropriate electrical buses, limiting visibility based on power states
• Custom systems now add realistic electrical draw:
  • IFE (Inflight Entertainment) system draws power
  • FADEC draws power only when on with engines OFF
  • Yellow standby electrical hydraulic pump has unique power requirements (can be powered by GPU connection alone without cockpit activation)
• Fixed numerous electrical issues including generator cutouts, bleed systems, and galley power

Cold&Dark Configuration

• All overhead panel switches now set appropriately for authentic cold and dark startup
• Extensive collaboration with real-world A330 pilots to ensure correct switch positions
• Auto modes for generators and other systems allow switches to remain in ON position (activate automatically when conditions are met)
• Proper screen configurations for different power states:
  • Upper ECAM and captain PFD available on batteries only
  • Other displays require appropriate AC/DC bus power
• All screens have appropriate startup times

ADIRS (Air Data Inertial Reference System)

• Realistic alignment process following real-world A330 behavior
• Proper alignment time simulation after power-up
• ADIRS fully integrated with electrical system and displays
• Proper indications on ECAM and navigation displays during alignment sequence
• Flight directors and autopilot appropriately restricted until alignment complete
• Flight Director momentarily turns on when AC power is applied, prior to ADIRS alignment, with associated FD flag on PFD
• EGPWS ‘fault’ lights turn on after AC power from cold and dark, remaining on until alignment finished
• Three independent Air Data Reference (ADR) and Inertial Reference (IR) units properly managed
• Speed tape shows proper values once alignment complete

MCDU / FMGC Improvements

• Added ALTN mode to INIT A/B, FUEL PRED, and F-PLN pages
• FIX INFO page improvements:
  • Now accepts runway designators (e.g., KCLT18L or EDDF18)
  • Color corrections and improved line visibility
  • Fix name labels added
• DEPARTURE page title remains white until runway is selected
• Added LL XING/INCR/NO functionality for lateral navigation
• Enhanced FMGC with better flight plan handling
• Improved interaction between FMGC and autopilot system
• Third CDU now functional for AOC (Airline Operational Communications) operations
• ACARS support via third MCDU:
  • Request weather, ATIS, and pre-departure clearance
  • Works with VATSIM, PilotEdge, and default ATC system
• New keys and sounds for MCDU added (XPD-17049)
• Included an option to change the callsign in the ATSU menu (XPD-17582)

Flight Director Improvements

• Flight Director behavior now properly integrated with ADIRS alignment
• Improved flight director commands and autopilot integration

Display Units

• All cockpit displays feature realistic startup times when powered
• Display configurations respond intelligently to power states
• ECAM pages swap appropriately with different display states
• ECP (ECAM Control Panel) buttons updated to work in single ECAM screen configuration:
  • Press and hold to view system pages
  • Essential for monitoring APU during batteries-only cold and dark startup
• Primary Flight Display (PFD) improvements:
  • Better overall display quality
  • Correct altitude displays
  • Proper TCAS flag displays
  • TAT/SAT indicators now functional in cockpit
• Navigation Display (ND) improvements:
  • Better map contrast
  • Approach name displayed when within 100 track miles of destination
  • ND brightness now applied correctly (XPD-17433)
  • Improved overall display quality
• Upper ECAM improvements
• Lower ECAM synoptic pages updated for accuracy
• Normal map effect on glass displays removed (XPD-16026)

Hydraulic Systems

• Complete hydraulic system modeling
• Proper interaction with electrical system
• Yellow standby electrical hydraulic pump properly simulated
• RAT integration with green hydraulic system

Bleed Air System

• Updated bleed air system modeling
• Proper integration with electrical system
• Fixed bleed system issues

TCAS System

• Updated TCAS system
• Proper flag displays on PFD/ND

Pressurization System

• Improved pressurization system modeling
• Better integration with aircraft systems

Flight Model Improvements

• Fixed autopilot turn anticipation for smoother navigation
• Multiple autopilot and flight control improvements
• VLS (lowest selectable speed) now correctly increases in two steps following flap and slat retraction after takeoff
• Auto brakes can now be disengaged by applying 5% more brake pressure than current autobrake setting
• Fixed glideslope dropouts that caused autoland failures on some runways
• Fixed issue where aircraft could deploy reverse thrust before weight-on-wheels (XPD-17344)
• Changes ailerons to NOT function as speed brakes with ground spoilers (XPD-17012)

Door Improvements

• Updated door systems and operations
• Improved door manipulators
• Added cockpit_OUT.obj to allow door manipulator use in external views

FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control)

• FADEC improvements and refinements
• Proper power draw behavior (only when on with engines OFF)

Integrated Standby Instruments

• Improvements to standby instrument systems
• Better integration with overall aircraft systems

ACARS System

• ACARS displays have 10-second startup time on power up
• Requires AC power to operate
• Brightness adjustment capability
• Full integration with third MCDU for airline operations

Cabin Systems

• Lighting updated to work with new electrical system
• Inflight entertainment system has realistic startup time
• IFE requires AC power to operate

ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter)

• Now fully functional
• Realistic FMOD sounds and event timings

Oxygen System

• Updated oxygen demand to supply appropriate amount of O2
• Properly works with menu to don masks

Sound Improvements

• Enhanced sound system throughout aircraft
• Realistic FMOD sounds for various systems
• ELT sound implementation

Art and Visual Improvements

• Removed normal map from displays for better appearance
• Updated beacon spill to not illuminate entire aircraft
• Updated custom particle system flap vortices for improved realism
• Updated Lua to drive new particle system illumination for wing condensation (tied to wing inspection lights)
• Updated custom particle system engine inlet fog to react to wing inspection lights
• Added subtle animation to nose wheel tires during steering
• Minor color correction to annunciators – pushes amber more towards amber and less towards yellow
• Reworked cockpit lighting for improved realism
• Updated window shades
• Improved beacon lights

FWS (Flight Warning System)

• Improved FWS performance
• Eliminated spurious warnings

Boeing 737-800

• Added new Aerolinease Argentinas livery
• Updated particles
• Improved Cold&Dark state

Cirrus SR22

• Fixed GCU error when using popout mode (XPD-17450)
• Added current climb gradient (CCG) data
• Flight path vector now correctly displays geometric climb path accounting for wind
• Autopilot heading arm on takeoff: press HDG after TO/GA, and heading mode automatically engages when climbing through 400 AGL
• Added trend vector with 1-minute path prediction
• Wind vector is now displayed on MFD
• New profile view (MAP → PROFILE on MFD)
• Improved approach selection: correctly distinguishes between VOR and VOR-DME approaches at airports with both
• Fixed flight plan behavior when removing hold-in-lieu procedures

Cessna Citation X

• Added hold-at-present-position function

Avionics

X1000

• Fixed Synthetic Vision airfield drawing errors (XPD-17363)
• Fixed an error displayed the aircraft icon on the map screen when using a zoom level between 25nm and 50nm range (XPD-17442)
• Fixed a crash when using the X1000 while drawing the runway stripes and numbers (XPD-17316)
• Fixed an issue where the terrain wasn’t displayed correctly in Synthetic Vision (XPD-17454)
• Copilot PFD now supports secondary sensor inputs (copilot pitot, AHRS, etc.)
• Fixed issue with incomplete SVT tile loading
• MFD topographical map now displays obstacles, yellow for less than 1000ft vertical clearance, red for less than 100ft
• ENGINE/LEAN/SYSTEM softkeys now show LEAN page on the Cessna 172 and RV-10
• ASSIST softkey on Engine page displays hottest/last peaked EGT with relative temperature
• Improved the shape of the range ring on the map and take wind into account
• Added state/province borders to the base map
• New Nearest User Waypoint page for finding user-defined waypoints
• New Trip Planning page showing:
  • ETA/ETE to destination
  • Sunset/sunrise times at destination
  • Fuel efficiency and estimated fuel remaining at destination
  • Density altitude and total air temperature
• New Utility page displaying:
  • Time in air and time since power-up
  • Distance flown (odometer)
  • Ground speed record
• Enhanced System Setup options:
  • Temperature units (°C/°F)
  • Time display (local/UTC)
  • Fuel units (gallons/pounds)
  • Transition altitude alerts (configurable on/off and altitude)
  • Arrival alerts (configurable on/off and distance)
  • Airspace warnings with altitude buffer and individual class warnings
  • Customizable MFD data field assignments
  • COM channel spacing (25 kHz vs 8.33 kHz) – affects tuning knob behavior

X430 / X530

• New traffic page with 2, 6, and 12 nm range options
• New terrain awareness page showing yellow/red terrain warning in 120° or 360 view
• New NEXRAD weather page with 120° or 360° composite view
• New Frequencies page to automatically display the departure airport frequencies during the first half of the flight and the destination frequencies later on, or the nearest airport if no flight plan is active
• New Position page on the X430 to display ground track, ground speed, MSL altitude, time, and bearing/distance to the nearest airport
• New Satellites page shows GPS status including WAAS capability (3D DIFF NAV vs 3D NAV)
• On the X530 the Position and Satellites pages are combined, as the X530 has a bigger screen

Navigation Display (ND)

• Fixed waypoint display issues when weather radar is enabled (XPD-17462)

ATC & Radio

• Updated voice packs to AIRAC 2511
• Implemented wind corrections for all “Fly heading” instructions
• Added auto-checkin option to ease unattended flights
• Improved altitude callouts for flight-following with STAR procedures
• ATC text dialogs now include spoken equivalents
• Fixed crash related to departure change requests (XPD-17077)
• Improved transmitter ranges for ATIS and tower radios to match real-world performance
• New option to check in automatically while being on-route and set altimeter/transponder. This will not automate the check-in to your final destination, or non-coordinated handoffs.
• Various ATC improvements

User Interface & Controls

• Added a new background image
• Added “View Rotate left/right” and “View Rotate up/down” axis controls
• New “Take Screenshot” button in screenshot tool
• Option to disable camera lock (double right-click)
• Settings screen improvements, particularly for Tobii integration
• Warning message displayed when running X-Plane on macOS via Rosetta
• Logbook now records user-selected tail number
• Added a new option to select the Control Profile on the aircraft selection screen
• Improved coloring for the piechart in the Plugin Manager
• Added new commands to control pitch & roll via the keyboard (XPD-17299)
• The “Hard flaps detents” setting will now be saved correctly (XPD-17529)
• Fixed some translation issues as some texts didn’t get translated (XPD-17456)

Graphics & Performance

• Performance improvements for AMD X3D CPUs
• Cockpit displays are excluded from FXAA processing for improved readability
• Fixed an issue where the EFIS camera was unusual dark when using it as a mirror (XPD-16879)
• GPU selection support for Zink driver (multi-GPU systems)
• Numerous stability improvements, especially for users with orthophoto scenery
• Improved condensation particles and added a new dataref to control the amount of light leak from exterior lights to light up particles
• Fixed an issue where normals won’t work in dcls files (XPD-16696)
• Fixed the propeller not being shadowed by the clouds in interior views

VR

• Added VR-specific graphics settings in addition to the default settings
• Aviation and general flashlights now work properly in VR
• Improved SteamVR controller detection
• Improved performance when using SteamVR
• Reduced excessive logging during controller detection (XPD-17190)
• Various quality-of-life improvements
• Added new commands to toggle the visibility of the VR xPad

AI Aircraft

• AI aircraft now spawn with full fuel tanks
• Improved taxiing of AI aircraft
• Improved ground handling behavior and runway allocations

Scenery & Airport Library

• New airport library objects: taxi cars, VHF antennas, 3d sidewalks, segmented circles, signal squares, road speed bumps, building material props for construction sites, and animated tower cranes
• Added two static gliders with multiple liveries
• New vegetation species and camping objects (tents, etc.)
• New fences and hedges
• New low-poly cars for roads (South American region)
• Added RV (Recreational Vehicle) models
• New custom airport LEBB – Bilbao Airport
• Fixed an issue where static aircraft vanish after touchdown (XPD-17514)
• Improved logging for missing scenery (XPD-17519)
• Updated all Global Airports to the latest version

SDK

• Synthetic Vision now accessible to aircraft developers via texture access or as standalone device for custom avionics development
• Fixed an error where users might get the message “The sim destroyed an instance during the dag!” when using add-ons (XPD-17441)
• Improved documentation of XPLM_MSG_DATAREFS_ADDED (XPD-17317)
• Fixed return value of XPLMGetVirtualKeyDescription (XPD-17397)

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