Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.144

RealFlight Evolution version 10.10.144 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users. It contains a small but important set of content-related fixes, affecting both stock and custom content. Please read the release notes for details.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

Normal and specular maps function correctly on scenery objects
[86223] Fix for some legacy content that displayed incorrectly when imported in 10.10.138
- Affected content must be reimported from its .rfx in the new build. A new error message explains this.
- RealFlight loads the default vehicle when this error occurs
[86224] .fbx/.kex import no longer append " Standard" to the new colorscheme name

Aircraft

E-flite UMX Cirrus SR22T (3S): Improved trim
Hangar 9 J-3 Cub 10cc (all variants): Improved trim

Airports

Carnival: Added normal and specular maps to Centipede rollercoaster object
Shipyard Obstacle Course: Fixed appearance of cement texture

[hr][/hr]

How to Get It
Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.144

A new RealFlight Evolution beta, version 10.10.144, is now available. It contains a small but important set of content-related fixes, affecting both stock and custom content.

Please try this new version and let us know your results. We are eager to vet these changes and release them to all users, because the more time passes, the more custom content people will need to reimport once this goes public.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

Normal and specular maps function correctly on scenery objects
[86223] Fix for some legacy content that displayed incorrectly when imported in 10.10.138
- Affected content must be reimported from its .rfx in the new build. A new error message explains this.
- RealFlight loads the default vehicle when this error occurs
[86224] .fbx/.kex import no longer append " Standard" to the new colorscheme name

Aircraft

E-flite UMX Cirrus SR22T (3S): Improved trim
Hangar 9 J-3 Cub 10cc (all variants): Improved trim

Airports

Carnival: Added normal and specular maps to Centipede rollercoaster object
Shipyard Obstacle Course: Fixed appearance of cement texture

[hr][/hr]

How to Get the Beta Build
[olist]

Restart your Steam client to ensure it is aware of the new version.
[olist]

Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit.

Once everything closes, run Steam again.
[/olist]

Right-click on RealFlight Evolution in your Steam library, then select Properties…

In the Properties window, select Betas on the left.

Click the Beta Participation dropdown control to expand the list.

Select “publicbeta_directx11”.

Close the Properties dialog.

DLC: 2025 Quarterly Content Pack 1 and Year Content Pass Available Now

We begin our third year offering RealFlight Evolution DLC by announcing the release of both 2025 Quarterly Content Pack 1 and the 2025 Year Content Pass!

2025 Quarterly Content Pack 1
2025 QCP1 includes 6 new aircraft: 4 standard + 2 premium. Clicking the individual links below will take you to the items’ Steam store pages, where you can view pictures and learn more about them.

Here is a direct link to the 2025 QCP1 bundle containing all the above items.

QCP1 content requires RF Evo version 10.10.138 or higher, or else it will not appear in the sim. You can check your version number in RealFlight’s About dialog. Please note that this time around, the required update was not published very far in advance of the QCP release, so there is an increased likelihood you will not have it yet and will need to force an update. Doing so is very easy, however. See “How to Get It” at the bottom of the 10.10.138 announcement for instructions.

[hr][/hr]
For those new to RealFlight Evolution or simply needing a refresher, the first DLC release of a new year is a good time to explain some details about what it is and how it works.

DLC defined
DLC stands for Downloadable Content. It is additional content you can purchase for an application you already own.

Standard vs. premium aircraft models
What makes a premium model different from a standard one? In short, a premium model is more work for us to produce meaning you get more as a result. More what? It could be one or more of the following:

More features – Examples include retracts, flaps, and other articulating components
More detail – Things like scale details, an unusual or extra-complex design, multiple color schemes, and/or a full cockpit
More variants – Includes multiple variations such as with and without floats, slats, etc.

How to buy
RealFlight Evolution DLC is available a few different ways.

Each quarterly batch of content is available in a money-saving bundle. See the QCP1 link above for one example. Each individual item page also contains a link to the bundle that contains it.
The Year Content Pass is a way to buy all the content for a given year--all 4 Quarterly Content Packs--at an even greater discount. When you purchase it, you get immediate access to any content that has been released so far that year. If any of that year’s quarterly content is still to come, then as it is released it will unlock automatically for you. So, whether you buy it at the beginning of the year, essentially prepurchasing all of that year’s content to come, or hold off and buy it at the end of the year after the final QCP is released and get all the content at once, or anywhere in between, the end result is the same.
- The 2023 and 2024 YCPs are complete and will remain available to purchase for anyone who would like to get all that content at once at the highest possible discount.
- The 2025 YCP is now available and will work just like its predecessors.
Individual items from the content packs are also available for purchase separately. If you purchase one or more items a la carte and later decide you would like to own the whole pack they came from, you can! The QCP bundle will only charge you for the models you don’t already own, and you’ll pay the discounted bundle price for them. This “complete the set” option is only possible for QCPs (YCPs do not support it).

Finding the new models in RF Evo
DLC that you own will appear right alongside all the other models/airports in Evolution. Look for them by name in the selection dialogs or find them with the Quick Load dialog. Also, the main selection menus now offer additional filtering options that include the ability to show only DLC.

Releases Roadmap
As we touched on in the RealFlight Evolution announcement, RF Evo will live in the marketplace for a number of years. DLC offers a way to keep getting more out of RealFlight without the need to upgrade your version every year or two. Software updates will come when they are ready, whereas DLC will release sometime within its given quarter (i.e., Q1: Jan-Mar, Q2: Apr-Jun, Q3: Jul-Sept, Q4: Oct-Dec).

Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.138

RealFlight version 10.10.138 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users. It adds support for the new 2025 Quarterly Content Pack 1 DLC, plus many improvements that have only been available in beta versions until now!

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Features

Added support for 2025 Quarterly Content Pack 1 DLC
Added Image Quality setting, located here: Settings -> Graphics -> Display -> Image Quality
A new material definition system for content creation (more info is available in the Designer's Corner forum)

Rendering Improvements/Fixes

Reduced color banding in the sky. This is especially noticeable in VR.
- Sky dithering improvements are an example of something made possible by the update to DirectX 11
- Turning up Image Quality has the potential to negate this improvement
Reworked rendering of stars in the night sky, making color differences more obvious
Added a subtle flicker effect to the stars
Added support for more elaborate blinking light behavior on aircraft
Added resolutionScaleOverride console command to allow fine-tuning the new Image Quality behavior
[84757] Moon flickering when water is enabled is improved, but not completely fixed
[84798] Fixed shader compositor and shadow rendering errors related to certain props

User Improvements/Fixes

Replaced Challenge and Training menus with updated versions
Added keyboard & controller navigation support to remaining in-challenge dialogs (e.g., level begin, level complete, level failed)
Added high-quality aircraft preview images in the main menu
Added DLC as a filter type in the aircraft and airport selection menus
Possible fix for UI lag that occasionally coincided with RealFlight gaining and losing focus
Introduced a missing setting to control whether the multiplayer simulation sound reduction setting is applied in MP sessions
Improved names, description text, and the enabled/disabled functionality for multiplayer sound reduction settings
ESC works to close the main menu after saving a custom color scheme
Load Flight Recording menu item is disabled while a recording is in progress
Names of enabled/disabled-type settings are slightly altered for greater clarity
Alt-F4 keyboard shortcut now exits the sim while in the main menu system
Misc. other improvements

Other Improvements/Fixes

Sound: If master mute is enabled ('M'), exiting the vehicle editor does not unmute ambient environment sounds
Sound: Fixed spurious prop strike sounds that sometimes played incessantly in the vehicle editor (and which ignored muting)
Sound: Ambient environment sounds do not play in the vehicle editor
Import: Protected against crashes from certain malformed data
"E-flite 2840" torque generator is properly capitalized

Aircraft

Blade 150 S: Visual tail rotor wobble is eliminated
E-flite Air Tractor 1.5m (all variants): Wingtip strobe lights blink correctly
Hangar 9 Aermacchi MB-339 60-85N Turbine (both variants): Vehicle description lists the correct brake channel number

Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.134

Most--but not all--of the changes in this new public beta version address issues that were present in earlier beta versions, not the public version. We welcome your feedback!

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[85768] Framerate at water airports was reduced for certain quality settings after a previous bug fix, is now mostly restored to previous levels
Fixed some issues with .dds creation for new material definition types
Challenges & Training: Pressing and releasing the controller Select button activates the Pause menu instead of it only appearing while Select is held down
Training: Pause menu remains accessible from the controller after successive Cancel button presses
UI: Fixed difficult-to-provoke crash when moving between various challenge menus
UI: Selection dialogs' "Product" filter works correctly for vehicles that belong under multiple products
UI: Names of enabled/disabled-type settings are slightly altered for greater clarity
UI: Improved names, description text, and the enabled/disabled functionality for multiplayer sound reduction settings
UI: Fixed misc. minor typos in various text

Aircraft

Blade Fusion 360: Added missing preview images
E-flite UMX F-86 Sabre 30mm EDF (without gear): Added missing preview images
E-flite UMX Slow Ultra Stick: Added missing preview images
E-flite UMX Slow Ultra Stick: Categorized correctly as a stock model (not DLC) for selection dialog filtering purposes
Silhouette 3D: Loads texture instead of appearing all white
[85800] Ultra Sport tire textures are correct

[hr][/hr]

How to Get the Beta Build
[olist]

Restart your Steam client to ensure it is aware of the new version.
[olist]

Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit.

Once everything closes, run Steam again.
[/olist]

Right-click on RealFlight Evolution in your Steam library, then select Properties…

In the Properties window, select Betas on the left.

Click the Beta Participation dropdown control to expand the list.

Select “publicbeta_directx11”.

Close the Properties dialog.

Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.132

This updates contains a couple new fixes in addition to all changes from previous beta releases.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[85767] Untextured portions of existing models (from before the introduction of the material definition system) retain their original appearance
On the Training system's Begin Lesson dialog, the "Lesson Select" button functions correctly

[hr][/hr]

How to Get the Beta Build
[olist]

Restart your Steam client to ensure it is aware of the new version.
[olist]

Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit.

Once everything closes, run Steam again.
[/olist]

Right-click on RealFlight Evolution in your Steam library, then select Properties…

In the Properties window, select Betas on the left.

Click the Beta Participation dropdown control to expand the list.

Select “publicbeta_directx11”.

Close the Properties dialog.

Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.129

A new RealFlight Evolution beta, version 10.10.129, is now available. This is the first beta version in a while and it includes a lot of changes. More complete release notes will come later. I will briefly touch on some highlights now, though.

A new material definition system for content creation (see this post in the RealFlight Forums Designer's Corner for details)
Rendering: Moon flickering when water is enabled is improved, but not completely fixed (case #84757)
Rendering: Fixed unexpected transparency in some aircraft preview images (case #84762)
Rendering: Smoke no longer obscures the vehicle in the binocular gadget (case #84763)
Rendering: Fixed shader compositor and shadow rendering errors related to certain props (case #84798)
User Interface: Training system menus are updated similarly to the Challenges UI changes that went into 10.10.101 (and which are still in beta)
Sound: If master mute is enabled ('M'), exiting the vehicle editor does not unmute ambient environment sounds
Sound: Fixed spurious prop strike sounds that sometimes played incessantly in the vehicle editor (and which ignored muting)
Sound: Ambient environment sounds do not play in the vehicle editor
Import: Protected against crashes from certain malformed data
Added support for all currently available DLC (through 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 4)

This update also includes all fixes already released in the public release branch.

[hr][/hr]

How to Get the Beta Build
[olist]

Restart your Steam client to ensure it is aware of the new version.
[olist]

Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit.

Once everything closes, run Steam again.
[/olist]

Right-click on RealFlight Evolution in your Steam library, then select Properties…

In the Properties window, select Betas on the left.

Click the Beta Participation dropdown control to expand the list.

Select “publicbeta_directx11”.

Close the Properties dialog.

DLC: 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 4 Available Now

The next batch of RealFlight Evolution DLC (downloadable content) is here! We are pleased to announce the release of 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 4.

QCP4 includes 1 airport and 4 new aircraft: 3 standard + 1 premium. Clicking the individual links below will take you to the items’ Steam store pages, where you can view pictures and learn more about them.

Here is a direct link to the QCP4 bundle containing all the above items.

Everyone who purchased the 2024 Year Content Pass will automatically receive the new models! (You may need to trigger an update, though. See below.)

QCP4 content requires RF Evo version 10.10.122. You can check your version number in RealFlight’s About dialog. If you don’t yet have the latest and want to force an update, see “How to Get It” at the bottom of the 10.10.122 announcement for instructions.

For more information about RealFlight Evolution DLC, including an explanation of standard vs. premium models and a detailed rundown of all the available purchase options, please view this previous announcement.

Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.122

RealFlight version 10.10.122 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users. It adds support for the 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 4 DLC that is available now! Also included are a new Spektrum flight controller and a couple minor fixes.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Features

Added support for 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 4 DLC
Added "Spektrum Plus Flight Controller" component with AS3X+ support

Improvements/Fixes

Technical Support dialog displays serial number and version info correctly

Aircraft

E-flite UMX F-86 Sabre 30mm EDF (without gear): Minor word order fix in colorscheme name

DLC: 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 3 Available Now

The next batch of RealFlight Evolution DLC (downloadable content) is here! We are pleased to announce the release of 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 3.

QCP3 includes 6 new aircraft: 4 standard + 2 premium. Clicking the individual links below will take you to the items’ Steam store pages, where you can view pictures and learn more about them.

Here is a direct link to the QCP3 bundle containing all the above items.

Everyone who purchased the 2024 Year Content Pass will automatically receive the new models! (You may need to trigger an update, though. See below.)

QCP3 content requires RF Evo version 10.10.113. You can check your version number in RealFlight’s About dialog. If you don’t yet have the latest and want to force an update, see “How to Get It” at the bottom of the 10.10.113 announcement for instructions.

For more information about RealFlight Evolution DLC, including an explanation of standard vs. premium models and a detailed rundown of all the available purchase options, please view this previous announcement.

Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.113

RealFlight version 10.10.113 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users. It includes a couple new models and some nice improvements. It also adds support for the 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 3 DLC that is available now!

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Features

New model: Blade Fusion 360
New model: E-flite UMX Slow Ultra Stick
Added support for 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 3 DLC
Added two sets of scenarios focused on helping train beginner pilots, one for airplanes and one for helicopters. They are numbered and intended to be experienced in order.
- Some scenarios use DLC aircraft and are only available if you own that content
Added "Aerodynamic Dihedral" vehicle property to better support aircraft designs that generate more dihedral effect than the wing angle alone suggests (such as high-wing planes)
Added support for the Spektrum MLP6DSM radio via its USB port. Includes autodetection and a new "Spektrum MLP6DSM (Wired USB)" controller profile.
Replaced 9.5S manual on disk with new RealFlight Help Guide, accessible via main RealFlight menu

Improvements/Fixes

Main menu selection dialogs' advanced filtering options work correctly when a non-English language is selected
"Enable Daytime Lights" vehicle property does not enable propeller/heli blade glow (they still turn on at night)
- Note for custom content creators: That property now affects only ~CS_BULB frames, ignoring ~CS_GLOW
Scenarios load with correct environmental conditions (notably sun angle, essential for night airports)
Scenario Quick Select dialog's description area has a scrollbar to handle longer descriptions (necessary for the new scenarios)
Award dialog appearance varies by unlockable reward type
Time spent with a vehicle's position or orientation locked does not count toward total flight time
Hangar Obstacle Course Challenge: Fixed hangar ceiling
Temporary resources are cleaned up more thoroughly on disk after multiplayer sessions
Minor improvements to the built-in video player's selection dialog layout and scroll behavior
Added some new Welcome dialog tips and updated some existing ones

Aircraft

Blade 150 S: Colorscheme name is properly capitalized
E-flite Air Tractor 1.5m: Blinking light behavior matches real-world model
E-flite Air Tractor 1.5m: Colorscheme can be saved for customizing
E-flite Cherokee 1.3m: Blinking light behavior matches real-world model
E-flite Night Radian 2.0m: Added missing Quick Select preview image
E-flite Turbo Timber SWS 2.0m: Blinking light behavior matches real-world model
Hangar 9 Fun Scale PT-19: Colorscheme name is properly capitalized
Hangar 9 Fun Scale PT-19: Added missing Quick Select previews
Hangar 9 P-51D Mustang 20cc: Description correctly references this model's electric configuration

Airports

AMA Flying Site 4: Added a description

Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.101

A new RealFlight Evolution beta, version 10.10.101, is now available. It includes some worthwhile rendering and user interface improvements. This version builds on the previously released 10.10.087; it includes all those still-beta changes, plus a revamp of the Challenge selection menus, support for QCP2 DLC, and some other improvements. We would like to allow time for beta testing and feedback before releasing it to everyone.

The new “Image Quality” setting controls the resolution at which visuals are computed before they are displayed. At values above Normal it produces an antialiasing effect through supersampling. View the setting description for more details.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Many of these items are carried over from previous beta version 10.10.087. New items are italicized.

Features

Added Image Quality setting, located here: Settings -> Graphics -> Display -> Image Quality
Added support for 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 2 DLC

Rendering Improvements/Fixes

Reduced color banding in the sky. This is especially noticeable in VR.
- Sky dithering improvements are an example of something made possible by the update to DirectX 11
Reworked rendering of stars in the night sky, making color differences more obvious
Added a subtle flicker effect to the stars
Added support for more elaborate blinking light behavior on aircraft
- We will post more details in the RealFlight Evolution - Designer's Corner forum so custom content creators can take advantage of this new system as well
Added resolutionScaleOverride console command to allow fine-tuning the new Image Quality behavior

User Interface Improvements/Fixes

Replaced Challenge selection menus with an updated version
Added keyboard & controller navigation support to remaining in-challenge dialogs (e.g., level begin, level complete, level failed)
Possible fix for UI lag that occasionally coincided with RealFlight gaining and losing focus
Added high-quality aircraft preview images in the main menu (work in progress; some of these need further tweaking before full release)
Added DLC as a filter type in the aircraft and airport selection menus
Introduced a missing setting to control whether the multiplayer simulation sound reduction setting is applied in MP sessions
Misc. other improvements

Other Improvements/Fixes

Fixed a bug in third-party code that caused the Multiplayer Join dialog to crash in the full public release. We're not aware of it causing any problems in the betas, but it seems like it should have, so we're documenting that the fix from 10.10.100 (public) also exists in this beta build.

Aircraft

E-flite Air Tractor 1.5m (all variants): Wingtip strobe lights blink correctly
Hangar 9 Aermacchi MB-339 60-85N Turbine (both variants): Vehicle description lists the correct brake channel number

[hr][/hr]

How to Get the Beta Build
[olist]

Restart your Steam client to ensure it is aware of the new version.
[olist]

Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit.

Once everything closes, run Steam again.[/olist]

Right-click on RealFlight Evolution in your Steam library, then select Properties…

In the Properties window, select Betas on the left.

Click the Beta Participation dropdown control to expand the list.

Select “publicbeta_directx11”.

Close the Properties dialog.

DLC: 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 2 Available Now

The next batch of RealFlight Evolution DLC (downloadable content) is here! We are pleased to announce the release of 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 2.

QCP2 includes 1 airport and 4 new aircraft: 3 standard + 1 premium. Clicking the individual links below will take you to the items’ Steam store pages, where you can view pictures and learn more about them.

Here is a direct link to the QCP2 bundle containing all the above items.

Everyone who purchased the 2024 Year Content Pass will automatically receive the new models! (You may need to trigger an update, though. See below.)

QCP2 content requires RF Evo version 10.10.100. You can check your version number in RealFlight’s About dialog. If you don’t yet have the latest and want to force an update, see “How to Get It” at the bottom of the 10.10.100 announcement for instructions.

For more information about RealFlight Evolution DLC, including an explanation of standard vs. premium models and a detailed rundown of all the available purchase options, please view this previous announcement.

Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.100

RealFlight version 10.10.100 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users. It includes some improvements and adds support for 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 2 DLC that is available now!

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Features

Added support for 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 2 DLC

Improvements/Fixes

Fixed MP Join dialog crash that made it into a build for a day
- This was a bug in third-party code that may have manifested differently in previous versions
Added new light blinking system which supports more sophisticated blink behavior
- We will post more details in the Designer's Corner forum so custom content creators can take advantage of this new system as well
Removed a couple no longer relevant videos from the built-in video player
Whitespace is trimmed separately from NUP value name and value strings when importing custom 3D art
- Previously it trimmed only from the beginning and end of the entire "=" string

Aircraft

E-flite Air Tractor 1.5m (all variants): Wingtip strobe lights blink correctly
Hangar 9 Aermacchi MB-339 60-85N Turbine (both variants): Vehicle description lists the correct brake channel number

Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.087

A new RealFlight Evolution beta, version 10.10.087, is now available. It includes some worthwhile rendering and user interface improvements. We would like to allow time for beta testing and feedback before releasing it to everyone.

The new “Image Quality” setting controls the resolution at which visuals are computed before they are displayed. At values above Normal it produces an antialiasing effect through supersampling. View the setting description for more details.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Features

Added Image Quality setting, located here: Settings -> Graphics -> Display -> Image Quality

Rendering Improvements/Fixes

Reduced color banding in the sky. This is especially noticeable in VR.
- Sky dithering improvements are an example of something made possible by the update to DirectX 11
Reworked rendering of stars in the night sky, making color differences more obvious
Added a subtle flicker effect to the stars
Added support for more elaborate blinking light behavior on aircraft
- We will post more details in the RealFlight Evolution - Designer's Corner forum so custom content creators can take advantage of this new system as well
Added resolutionScaleOverride console command to allow fine-tuning the new Image Quality behavior

User Interface Improvements/Fixes

Possible fix for UI lag that occasionally coincided with RealFlight gaining and losing focus
Added high-quality aircraft preview images in the main menu (work in progress; some of these need further tweaking before full release)
Added DLC as a filter type in the aircraft and airport selection menus
Introduced a missing setting to control whether the multiplayer simulation sound reduction setting is applied in MP sessions
Misc. other improvements

[hr][/hr]

How to Get the Beta Build
[olist]

Restart your Steam client to ensure it is aware of the new version.
[olist]

Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit.

Once everything closes, run Steam again.[/olist]

Right-click on RealFlight Evolution in your Steam library, then select Properties…

In the Properties window, select Betas on the left.

Click the Beta Participation dropdown control to expand the list.

Select “publicbeta_directx11”.

Close the Properties dialog.

DLC: 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 1 and Year Content Pass Available Now

The first batch of RealFlight Evolution DLC for 2024 is here! This is a good opportunity to reiterate and revise some previous DLC explanations.

2024 Quarterly Content Pack 1
2024 QCP1 includes 6 new aircraft: 4 standard + 2 premium. Clicking the individual links below will take you to the items’ Steam store pages, where you can view pictures and learn more about them.

Here is a direct link to the 2024 QCP1 bundle containing all the above items.

Standard vs. premium aircraft models
What makes a premium model different from a standard one? In short, a premium model is more work for us to produce meaning you get more as a result. More what? It could be one or more of the following:

More features – Examples include retracts, flaps, and other articulating components
More detail – Things like scale details, an unusual or extra-complex design, multiple color schemes, and/or a full cockpit
More variants – Includes multiple variations such as with and without floats, slats, etc.

How to buy
RealFlight Evolution DLC is available a few different ways.

Each quarterly batch of content is available in a money-saving bundle. See the QCP1 link above for one example. Each individual item page also contains a link to the bundle that contains it.
The Year Content Pass is a way to buy all the content for a given year--all 4 Quarterly Content Packs--at an even greater discount. When you purchase it, you get immediate access to any content that has been released so far that year. If any of that year’s quarterly content is still to come, then as it is released it will unlock automatically for you. So, whether you buy it at the beginning of the year, essentially prepurchasing all of that year’s content to come, or hold off and buy it at the end of the year after the final QCP is released and get all the content at once, or anywhere in between, the end result is the same.
- The 2023 YCP is complete and will remain available to purchase for anyone who would like to get all that content at once at the highest possible discount.
- The 2024 YCP is now available and will work just like last year's did.
Individual items from the content packs are also available for purchase separately. If you purchase one or more items a la carte and later decide you would like to own the whole pack they came from, you can! The QCP bundle will only charge you for the models you don’t already own, and you’ll pay the discounted bundle price for them. This “complete the set” option is only possible for QCPs (YCPs do not support it).

Finding the new models in RF Evo
DLC that you own will appear right alongside all the other models/airports in Evolution. Look for them by name in the selection dialogs or find them with the Quick Load dialog. For filtering purposes, as of this writing they are considered stock RealFlight Evolution models, but we are preparing to release a beta version that adds a separate DLC filtering category.

Releases Roadmap
As we touched on in the initial RealFlight Evolution release announcement, RF Evo will live in the marketplace for a number of years. DLC offers a way to keep getting more out of RealFlight without the need to upgrade your version every year or two. Software updates will come when they are ready, whereas DLC will release on more of a set schedule. We aim for a January/April/July/October pattern, but various factors can influence this, and packs may release later within their given quarter.

Update: RealFlight Evolution v10.10.086

RealFlight version 10.10.086 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users. It primarily adds support for 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 1, but also fixes a propeller bug.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Features

Added support for 2024 Quarterly Content Pack 1 DLC

Improvements/Fixes

E-flite Night Radian Folding Prop clockwise and counterclockwise versions are no longer swapped

Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.080

A new version of RealFlight Evolution is available as a public beta. Version 10.10.080 focuses on improvements to RealFlight's user interface, including a few bug fixes that were related to the UI in some way.

We ask that Evo users update to the new version and provide feedback in our "RealFlight Evolution DirectX 11 Beta" forum.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

General UI improvements, including animations, summary data, improved aircraft previews, and other usability features
Up Arrow keyboard shortcut for Quick Look at Windsock continues working normally after opening and closing the main menu
Challenge dialogs do not appear on top of the UI after a challenge ends
Handlaunch vehicles are ready to launch immediately after beginning a new multiplayer session as host, instead of requiring a vehicle reset first

[hr][/hr]

How to Get the Beta Build
[olist]

Restart your Steam client to ensure it is aware of the new version.
[olist]

Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit.

Once everything closes, run Steam again.
[/olist]

Right-click on RealFlight Evolution in your Steam library, then select Properties…

In the Properties window, select Betas on the left.

Click the Beta Participation dropdown control to expand the list.

Select “publicbeta_directx11”.

Close the Properties dialog.

Steam will now download the new version (10.10.080).
[/olist]
You can switch back and forth between the beta and the default (non-beta) distribution branch at any time. Simply perform steps 2-7 above, except in step 5 choose “None” instead of “publicbeta_directx11”.

If you are already connected to the "publicbeta_directx11" beta but the update has not yet occurred automatically, simply perform step 1 to initiate it.

Update: RealFlight Evolution v10.10.079

RealFlight version 10.10.079 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users. It fixes several bugs, including a couple serious crashes, one of which could prevent InterLink Elite users from running the software.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[84291] Fixed a crash provoked by the airport editor and airports with depth buffer objects (i.e., PhotoFields)
- This may have manifested in other ways as well
Fixed a startup crash involving the InterLink Elite, typically occurring when a different controller had been connected previously and is no longer present
- May similarly affect the RealFlight Wired Interface
- InterLink Elite and RealFlight Wired Interface users will probably need to recalibrate their controller
Terrain detail textures no longer stop rendering in certain circumstances after loading different airports
KEX Import: Airport objects imported as static do not end up dynamic in the event of a crash

Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.10.079

A new RealFlight Evolution beta, version 10.10.079, is now available. We believe it fixes a couple serious crash issues. We would like to allow time for beta testing and feedback before releasing it to everyone.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[84291] Fixed a crash provoked by the airport editor and airports with depth buffer objects (i.e., PhotoFields)
- This may have manifested in other ways as well
Fixed a startup crash involving the InterLink Elite, typically occurring when a different controller had been connected previously and is no longer present
- May similarly affect the RealFlight Wired Interface
Terrain detail textures no longer stop rendering in certain circumstances after loading different airports
KEX Import: Airport objects imported as static do not end up dynamic in the event of a crash

[hr][/hr]

How to Get the Beta Build
[olist]

Restart your Steam client to ensure it is aware of the new version.
[olist]

Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit.

Once everything closes, run Steam again.
[/olist]

Right-click on RealFlight Evolution in your Steam library, then select Properties…

In the Properties window, select Betas on the left.

Click the Beta Participation dropdown control to expand the list.

Select “publicbeta”. (DX11 beta testers, see note below)

Close the Properties dialog.

Steam will now download the new version.
[/olist]
You can switch back and forth between the beta and the default (non-beta) distribution branch at any time. Simply perform steps 2-7 above, except in step 5 choose “None” instead of “publicbeta”.

Note to DX11 beta testers: For your convenience, we have also put this version into the "publicbeta_directx11" beta branch. If you already have that branch selected, you'll get this update automatically. You may still need to restart Steam to force the update if it hasn't happened on its own, though.

Update: RealFlight Evolution v10.10.078

RealFlight version 10.10.078 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[84276] Specular levels are handled correctly when normal maps are turned off
[84428] Heli mechanics parts and their shadows render correctly
A helpful message displays when device initialization fails on hardware that does not support DirectX 11
Polylines, which are used to display effects geometry like physics outlines and trails, no longer draw behind things when they should be in front. (This problem was most easily observed with the aircraft editor wireframes and component indicators.)

Update: RealFlight Evolution v10.10.075

RealFlight version 10.10.075 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users. It is a small update fixing the appearance of some custom aircraft.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[84276] Fixed a couple issues where some custom models had incorrect transparency and/or portions of their texture incorrectly appeared completely black

DLC: 2023 Quarterly Content Pack 4 Available Now

The next batch of RealFlight Evolution DLC (downloadable content) is here! We are pleased to announce the release of 2023 Quarterly Content Pack 4.

QCP4 includes 1 airport and 4 new models: 3 standard + 1 premium. Clicking the individual links below will take you to the items’ Steam store pages, where you can view pictures and learn more about them.

Here is a direct link to the QCP4 bundle containing all the above items.

Everyone who purchased the 2023 Year Content Pass will of course automatically receive the new models! (You may need to trigger an update, though. See below.)

QCP4 content requires RF Evo version 10.10.074. You can check your version number in RealFlight’s About dialog. If you don’t yet have the latest and want to force an update, see “How to Get It” at the bottom of the 10.10.074 announcement for instructions.

For more information about RealFlight Evolution DLC, including an explanation of standard vs. premium models and a detailed rundown of all the available purchase options, please view this previous announcement.

RealFlight Evolution now runs on DirectX 11; Quarterly Content Pack 4 available

We are very pleased to announce the release of our DirectX 11 update for RealFlight Evolution. If you were previously affected by DirectX 9 compatibility issues, be sure to try again after updating to version 10.10.074. We expect this version to correct these issues for you.

Version 10.10.074 also adds support for our latest DLC release, Quarterly Content Pack 4.

The move to DirectX 11 is a tremendous step forward for RealFlight from an underlying technology standpoint. DirectX 9 was a very stable platform that served us well for many years, but we’ve reached a point where we can’t depend on it any longer. Basing RealFlight’s rendering on DX11 now will leave us in a far better position today, and it unlocks more options for improvement going forward.

This is first and foremost a stability and compatibility upgrade. With AMD casually breaking DX9 support off and on in their recent drivers and Intel dropping it altogether for newer versions of their on-chip graphics, we needed to update RealFlight to keep it running on all the latest hardware. This upgrade accomplishes that.

Things will generally look the same. We targeted the appearance of the current DX9 graphics so we could easily check our work during development and keep the focus on releasing this upgrade to our users as soon as possible.

Huge thanks to everyone who helped test during the public beta period for this update! This release benefited tremendously from your feedback. We will continue improving it. Please continue reporting your results.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
More detailed notes may come later. A number of other fixes and improvements went into this version during its lengthy development. In the meantime, here are some highlights to look for.

Full DirectX 11 support – RealFlight now runs on DirectX 11! This will help a lot of people who could not run the software due to DirectX 9 compatibility issues.

Quarterly Content Pack 4 – The QCP4 aircraft and airport are supported in this version. See the full announcement for details.

Fullscreen mode – We reworked this. See “Additional fullscreen mode notes” below for more details.

New airplane – The HobbyZone Apprentice STOL S 700mm is now available as a stock aircraft.

Ambient sounds – Experience greater immersion as airports are brought to life through environmental sound effects.

Screenshots – RealFlight now uses Steam’s built-in screenshot functionality. The same Tab key shortcut will invoke it.

Spektrum SLT6 – RealFlight detects the new SLT6 radio connected via its USB port and automatically selects the new “Spektrum SLT6 (Wired USB)” controller profile.

Aircraft art – Lots of aircraft received art updates. In many cases the nature of the changes results in subtle differences, though in some instances the improvement is more substantial.

Additional fullscreen mode notes:

RealFlight always renders at your current display resolution, using the entire screen
Switching between RealFlight and other applications, or accessing MFC menus and dialogs within RF, is quick and no longer causes lots of flickering
Fullscreen mode no longer changes the Windows display resolution, which affected the entire system and had some negative effects
The option to select a specific resolution is currently removed
Planned for a future update: Option to tune the rendering resolution. This should afford greater control over the balance between performance and appearance.

DX11 Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.00.073

We've been knocking down lots of bugs this week and we have yet another update for our RealFlight Evolution DirectX 11 public beta. If you don’t already know about the DX11 beta, please read this previous announcement before continuing. We encourage all RF Evo users to join in! It’s not too late.

The new version, 10.00.073, includes several more fixes we'd like to get into users' hands for more widespread testing (more details below).

As always, we appreciate the feedback from everybody who has helped test the DirectX 11 update and reported their findings so far! Please continue doing so with the new version. We will post updates in the relevant beta forum threads for issues that we addressed in this latest update.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[84326] Tree collisions function normally
[84386] RealFlight starts with the application window size, position, and mode from the previous session
[84204] Performance is dramatically improved for high values of the Foliage Density quality setting

[hr][/hr]

How to Get It
See the “How to Get the DX11 Beta Build” instructions in this previous announcement. If you are already participating in the DX11 beta program, you only need to perform step #1.

DX11 Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.00.072

A new update is available for our RealFlight Evolution DirectX 11 public beta. If you don’t already know about the DX11 beta, please read this previous announcement before continuing. We encourage all RF Evo users to join in! It’s not too late.

The new version, 10.00.072, includes a new aircraft plus additional fixes we'd like to get into users' hands for more widespread testing (more details below). It comes so soon after .071 that it is treated as an extension of that update, and the release notes from both versions are combined here for convenience.

As always, we appreciate the feedback from everybody who has helped test the DirectX 11 update and reported their findings so far! Please continue doing so with the new version. We will post updates in the relevant beta forum threads for issues that we addressed in this latest update.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Features

Added HobbyZone Apprentice STOL S 700mm

Improvements/Fixes

[84384] RealFlight runs again for people who used fullscreen mode prior to 10.00.070
[84278] The lens flare effect is drawn behind the various user interface elements and does not affect them when present
[84229] Aircraft preview images have the correct gamma appearance in the new RF Evo menus and in Windows (this was not discussed on the forums previously, but I'm including the case # anyway for our own reference)
[84338] Fixed an issue causing parts of a mesh to render incorrectly for a single visual frame; this was most easily observed as artifacts appearing in some aircraft preview images
[84370] Vehicle import fails with an appropriate console error message instead of crashing if certain internal path or file names get too long

Aircraft

Numerous aircraft received art updates. In many cases the nature of the changes results in subtle differences, though in some instances the improvement is more substantial.

DX11 Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.00.071

A new update is available for our RealFlight Evolution DirectX 11 public beta. If you don’t already know about the DX11 beta, please read this previous announcement before continuing. We encourage all RF Evo users to join in! It’s not too late.

The new version, 10.00.071, includes a handful of additional fixes we'd like to get into users' hands for more widespread testing (more details below).

As always, we appreciate the feedback from everybody who has helped test the DirectX 11 update and reported their findings so far! Please continue doing so with the new version. We will post updates in the relevant beta forum threads for issues that we addressed in this latest update.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[strike][84278] The lens flare effect is drawn behind the various user interface elements and does not affect them when present[/strike] [This was incorrectly noted as fixed; however, a new build arrives shortly that will include it.]
[84229] Aircraft preview images have the correct gamma appearance in the new RF Evo menus and in Windows (this was not discussed on the forums previously, but I'm including the case # anyway for our own reference)
[84338] Fixed an issue causing parts of a mesh to render incorrectly for a single visual frame; this was most easily observed as artifacts appearing in some aircraft preview images
[84370] Vehicle import fails with an appropriate console error message instead of crashing if certain internal path or file names get too long

Aircraft

Numerous aircraft received art updates. In many cases the nature of the changes results in subtle differences, though in some instances the improvement is more substantial.

DX11 Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.00.070

A new update is available for our RealFlight Evolution DirectX 11 public beta. If you don’t already know about the DX11 beta, please read this previous announcement before continuing. We encourage all RF Evo users to join in! It’s not too late.

The new version, 10.00.070, addresses a few more issues that users reported. Especially worth noting are the fullscreen mode developments which we want to get in users' hands for more widespread testing (more details below).

Our continuing thanks to everyone who has helped test the DirectX 11 update and reported their findings so far! Please continue doing so with the new version. We will post updates in the relevant beta forum threads for issues that we addressed in this latest update.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[71372] Fullscreen mode is reimplemented using a different approach with better behavior*
[84276] Full transparency in the specular map no longer causes unexpected and undesirable rendering behavior
[84277] Objects specified as Foreground Frames render consistently and correctly when using onboard camera components
[84244] Soft shadows have been tuned for improved appearance**

Aircraft

Numerous aircraft received art updates. In many cases the nature of the changes results in subtle differences, though in some instances the improvement is more substantial.

Additional notes
*Fullscreen mode:

RealFlight always renders at your current display resolution, using the entire screen
Switching between RealFlight and other applications, or accessing MFC menus and dialogs within RF, is quick and no longer causes lots of flickering
Fullscreen mode no longer changes the Windows display resolution, which affected the entire system and had some negative effects
The option to select a specific resolution is currently removed
Planned for a future update: Option to tune the rendering resolution. This should afford greater control over the balance between performance and appearance.
The fullscreen feature is still in development, but unlike in previous DX11 beta versions it is working again for those who want to use it, and we would like testing feedback

**Soft shadows:

As described elsewhere, at this stage we are generally targeting the appearance of the DirectX 9 visuals and trying to match them in DirectX 11. However, in the case of soft shadows we have elected to diverge from the DX9 behavior.
Numerous soft shadow issues remain which also existed in DX9. In particular, enabling soft shadows with shadow map quality set to low causes shadows on some objects to look especially bad.

[hr][/hr]
How to Get It
See the “How to Get the DX11 Beta Build” instructions in this previous announcement. If you are already participating in the DX11 beta program, you only need to perform step #1.

DX11 Public Beta Update: RealFlight Evolution 10.00.066

A new update is available for our RealFlight Evolution DirectX 11 public beta. If you don’t already know about the DX11 beta, please read this previous announcement before continuing. We encourage all RF Evo users to join in! It's not too late.

The new version, 10.00.066, addresses a number of issues that users reported. It includes some additional fixes & improvements as well. This update represents continuing progress toward a version that is ready for full release to all Evolution users.

Many thanks to everyone who has helped test the DirectX update and reported their findings so far! Please continue doing so with the new version. We will post updates in the relevant beta forum threads for issues that we addressed in this latest update.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Improvements/Fixes

[84216] Tab key now uses Steam's built-in screenshot functionality. This fixes the previous crash bug.*
[84241] Propeller blades and shadows render properly in their blur state**
[84237] Heli tail blade blur disk is not rendered when the blades are not spinning
[84233] Binocular Gadget background color is correct
[84055] Grass alpha rendering is improved, more closely matches DX9
[84259] Moon texture appears with normal coloration, brightness, and glow effect
[84244] Soft shadow rendering is improved (room for additional improvement)
[84242] Aircraft Editor: Physics wireframe is rendered at the correct size when Vehicle Graphical Scale is set to values other than 100%
Prop and heli blade glow renders correctly when blades are spinning
Water fountain particles render with the correct color
Cached collision & geometry files takes less time to create when not present during on initial load***

Aircraft

De Havilland DH-88 Comet: minor cosmetic tweaks

Airports
New/updated airport objects:

Air Race Hangar
Cardboard Bin
De Havilland DH-88 Comet Full Scale
Dumpster
Joes Gas Sign
Runway Light
Runway Light2
Runway Light Assembly (replaces Runway Light Tree, now removed)
Runway Sign 09
Runway Sign 25

Additional notes:
*I will make a separate post talking about this change in more detail.
**This change has the potential to fix other issues as well, known or unknown.
***We know this is faster than the last DX11 build, but we haven’t yet benchmarked it against the DX 9 version of Evo.
[hr][/hr]

How to Get It
See the “How to Get the DX11 Beta Build” instructions in this previous announcement. If you are already participating in the DX11 beta program, you only need to perform step #1.

RealFlight Evolution DirectX 11 Public Beta available now

We are pleased to announce the public beta release of our DirectX 11 update for RealFlight Evolution.

The move to DirectX 11 is a tremendous step forward for RealFlight from an underlying technology standpoint. DirectX 9 was a very stable platform that served us well for many years, but we’ve reached a point where we can’t depend on it any longer. Basing RealFlight’s rendering on DX11 now will leave us in a far better position today, and it unlocks more options for improvement going forward.

This is first and foremost a stability and compatibility upgrade. With AMD casually breaking DX9 support off and on in their recent drivers and Intel dropping it altogether for newer versions of their on-chip graphics, we need to update RealFlight to keep it running on all the latest hardware. This upgrade will accomplish that.

Things will generally look the same. We targeted the appearance of the current DX9 graphics so we could easily check our work during development and keep the focus on releasing this upgrade to our users as soon as possible.

Please give us feedback! We need your help to identify bugs. Unless you encounter a problem that prevents you from using RealFlight, we request that all Evo users switch to the DX11 beta and live in it now. We have created a dedicated forum for bug reports and general discussion. If necessary, switching back to the standard public version (10.00.059) is very easy (see directions below).

Custom content creators have an important role to play on top of the regular user testing. We’ll post more about this in the Evolution Designer’s Corner on the official RealFlight Forums.

We intend to leave the DX11 update in beta for some time in order to collect sufficient data and have time to address it. This must run on a wide variety of system configurations, far more than we can test ourselves.

How to Get the DX11 Beta Build
[olist]

Restart your Steam client to ensure it is aware of the new version.
[olist]

Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit.

Once everything closes, run Steam again.
[/olist]

Right-click on RealFlight Evolution in your Steam library, then select Properties…

In the Properties window, select Betas on the left.

Click the Beta Participation dropdown control to expand the list.

Select “publicbeta_directx11”.

Close the Properties dialog.

Steam will now download the new version (10.00.062 as of this writing).
[/olist]You can switch back and forth between the DX11 beta and the default (non-beta) distribution branch at any time. Simply perform steps 2-7 above, except in step 5 choose “None” (or "dxvk-intel-fix" if applicable) instead of “publicbeta_directx11”.

Please be aware that the DX11 beta uses a different location for user data. This is because some files are formatted differently than the DX9 version’s. Instead of "\RealFlight Evolution", everything goes in "\RealFlight Evolution DX11 Beta". What this means for you:

You will start from scratch in DX11 as far as settings and custom content.
Your DX9 data will be unaffected and waiting there if you want to copy from it or if you switch back to the DX9 version.
If you choose, it should be safe to copy over much of the DX9 data, such as your RealFlight64.ini and challengedata.db files. Most custom vehicle content would need to either be reimported or manually migrated and edited, though.
No files should be copied the other direction, from DX11 back to DX9.

Caution: Do not copy the entire “RealFlight Evolution” directory! The contents of the Cache subdir in particular will break DX11 RealFlight.

Thank you in advance for helping to test this important new version of RealFlight Evolution!

DLC: 2023 Quarterly Content Pack 3 now available

The next batch of RealFlight Evolution DLC is here! We are pleased to announce the release of 2023 Quarterly Content Pack 3.

QCP3 includes 6 new models: 4 standard + 2 premium. Clicking the individual links below will take you to the vehicles’ store pages, where you can view pictures of the models and learn more about them.

Here is a direct link to the QCP3 bundle containing all the above items.

Everyone who purchased the 2023 Year Content Pass will of course automatically receive the new models!

For more information about RealFlight Evolution DLC, including an explanation of standard vs. premium models and a detailed rundown of all the available purchase options, please view this previous announcement.

Update: RealFlight Evolution v10.00.059

RealFlight version 10.00.059 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users. It includes some improvements and adds support for the Quarterly Content Pack 3 DLC that is coming soon.

For those using the DXVK workaround, this version is available in the “dxvk-intel-fix” branch as well.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Features

Added support for upcoming Quarterly Content Pack 3 DLC

Improvements/Fixes

Fixed an issue where the editors would sometimes display incorrect values for one or more properties even though the value used internally was still correct

Aircraft

E-flite Carbon-Z T-28 Trojan 2.0m: Retracts servo sounds added
E-flite UMX models (various): Improved motor sounds for the following:
- E-flite UMX Timber X: reduced volume, changed sound profile
- E-flite UMX Turbo Timber: reduced volume, changed sound profile
- E-flite UMX Turbo Timber Evolution (all variants): reduced volume, changed sound profile
- E-flite UMX Twin Otter: reduced volume
RealFlight 676 NG Airliner: Adjusted the tuning to better support extended nose-high taxiing during takeoff and landing as well as improve throttle-cut behavior in flight

[hr][/hr]
How to Get It
Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

DLC: Quarterly Content Pack 2 and 2023 Year Content Pass now available

We are pleased to announce the release of RealFlight Evolution’s second Quarterly Content Pack DLC and to also introduce the 2023 Year Content Pass! These join the previously released Quarterly Content Pack 1 to expand the selection of available content and the ways in which you can buy it.

We also released a new software update for RF Evo, version 10.00.049. Its sole purpose is to support the new DLC and is required in order to access it.

Quarterly Content Pack 1
For reference, our first Quarterly Content Pack was released in March and contains 6 models: 4 standard + 2 premium. Click here to view the QCP1 bundle store page.

Quarterly Content Pack 2
Our second Quarterly Content Pack contains a different mix of item types than QCP1: 4 models (3 standard and 1 premium) and 1 PhotoField airport. Content is listed below with links to the individual store pages where you can learn more.

Here is a direct link to the QCP2 bundle containing all the above items.

Standard vs. premium aircraft models
What makes a premium model different from a standard one? In short, a premium model is more work for us to produce meaning you get more as a result. More what? It could be one or more of the following:

More features – Examples include retracts, flaps, and other articulating components
More detail – Things like scale details, an unusual or extra-complex design, multiple color schemes, and/or a full cockpit
More variants – Includes multiple variations such as with and without floats, slats, etc.

How to buy
RealFlight Evolution DLC is available a few different ways.

Each quarterly batch of content is available in a money-saving bundle. See QCP1 & QCP2 links above. Each individual item page also contains a link to the bundle that contains it.
The Year Content Pass is a way to buy all the content for a given year--all 4 Quarterly Content Packs--at an even greater discount. When you purchase it, you get immediate access to any content that has been released so far that year. If any of that year’s quarterly content is still to come, then as it is released it will unlock automatically for you. So, whether you buy it at the beginning of the year, essentially prepurchasing all of that year’s content to come, or hold off and buy it at the end of the year after the final QCP is released and get all the content at once, or anywhere in between, the end result is the same.
Individual items from the content packs are also available for purchase separately. If you purchase one or more items a la carte and later decide you would like to own the whole pack they came from, you can! The QCP bundle will only charge you for the models you don’t already own, and you’ll pay the discounted bundle price for them. This “complete the set” option is only possible for QCPs (YCPs do not support it).

Finding the new models in RF Evo
DLC that you own will appear right alongside all the other models/airports in Evolution. Look for them by name in the selection dialogs or find them with the Quick Load dialog. For filtering purposes, they are considered stock RealFlight Evolution models (we will probably do more to categorize them separately later).

Releases Roadmap
As we touched on in the RealFlight Evolution announcement, RF Evo will live in the marketplace for a number of years. Software updates will come when they are ready, whereas DLC will release on more of a set schedule. With a couple QCPs under our belt now, the plan is to settle into a January/April/July/October pattern, though this could change. DLC offers a way to keep getting more out of RealFlight without the need to upgrade your version every year or two.

Update: RealFlight Evolution v10.00.043

RealFlight version 10.00.043 is now available as a free release for all RealFlight Evolution users! This small update fixes a couple issues with one of the new Quarterly Content Pack 1 DLC models.

If you are using the DXVK workaround, all of this applies to you. The "dxvk-intel-fix" branch has received this update.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Aircraft

E-flite Beechcraft D18 1.5m (both variants): Rudder pivot movement is correct
E-flite Beechcraft D18 1.5m (3S): Battery cell count is correct

[hr][/hr]
How to Get It
Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

Update: RealFlight Evolution v10.00.042

We are pleased to announce that RealFlight version 10.00.042 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users! Its primary purpose is to lay the foundation for our first DLC (coming very soon!). We took the opportunity to squeeze in an assortment of other minor fixes and art improvements as well.

If you are using the DXVK workaround, all of this applies to you. The "dxvk-intel-fix" branch has received this update.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]
Features

Added support for the upcoming Quarterly Content Pack 1 DLC

Improvements/Fixes

Wind speed responds properly to Page Up/Down commands, does not get stuck above 10 kph when using metric units
Descriptions for the menu items in My RealFlight -> Export are expanded to provide more info
Viewing a training lesson resets physics speed to 100%, preventing audio playback issues
Removed a few outdated Features videos
Tech Support dialog: The RealFlightHelper version number is printed out correctly
Tech Support dialog: The RealFlight .ini file contents are once again included in gathered system info
Tech Support dialog: System info no longer includes the contents of a couple directories that were used by previous versions of RealFlight but are not relevant in Evolution
Tech Support dialog: Fixed support for MSInfo
Tech Support dialog: Reorganized the dialog layout a bit to better support the strings we now display
Installation: Eliminated a previously required registry entry

Aircraft

Piper Cub Float Plane is better balanced in the water

Airports

The following airport objects received art updates:
- Cooler
- Park Bench
- Spade
- Sword
- Treasure Chest

[hr][/hr]
How to Get It
Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

Update: RealFlight Evolution v10.00.037

We are pleased to announce that RealFlight version 10.00.037 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users! It includes fixes for a couple crash bugs and improvements for various areas of the software.

[hr][/hr]
[h1]Release Notes:[/h1]

User Interface Improvements/Fixes

Selecting an orphaned aircraft variant that refers to a missing base model no longer causes a crash
Fixed some navigation between new and existing Challenge system menus
Improved navigation across Training system menus, expanded access to the new UI
Exiting a multiplayer session does not pause physics (previously solved by opening and closing the menu)
Selection dialog and filter performance is improved

Other Improvements/Fixes

Swap pages models with empty NUP value strings do not cause a crash
Very thin geometry is better supported for newly imported 3D models (.FBX)
- Existing models are unaffected by this change
Scenario Quick Select dialog's Color Schemes selection option causes the chosen scheme to be loaded
RealFlight no longer emits ultralight.log in the installation directory

Airports

Updated Future Obstacle Grid Wall object
Removed unused Grass Patch and Walkway Grass Patch objects

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How to Get It
Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

Update: RealFlight Evolution v10.00.026

We are pleased to announce that RealFlight version 10.00.026 is now available as a free release for all Evolution users! This update adds two brand new airplane models. It also includes a number of improvements, mostly focused on the user interface.

Features

New model: E-flite Night Radian 2.0m
New model: Hangar 9 Fun Scale PT-19 (includes 4S and 6S variants)

User Interface Improvements/Fixes

The main menu now has a transparent background, showing the current state of the simulation behind it
Added menu items to export content for sharing (in My RealFlight -> Export)
Added a setting for Radio Gadget mode (in Settings -> User Interface -> Gadgets -> Radio)
Added a setting for Randomize Color Schemes option (in Settings -> Simulator)
Added a menu item for Quick Edit feature (in My RealFlight -> Quick Edit Current Aircraft)
Improved performance of selection dialog lists while scrolling
In selection lists, when filter options are opened, the "Filter By Name" text input box has focus so you can simply start typing
In selection lists, when filter options are opened, arrow keys no longer change the current selection behind the dialog
In selection lists, when filter options are opened, ESC closes the filter dialog and leaves the selection menu active
The controller's Cancel button opens the new UI during challenge levels. It also opens the new UI from various challenge dialogs and backs out of others.
Pausing a challenge level and selecting Main Menu exits the challenge and brings up the main menu
Going between challenge dialogs and the new UI no longer occasionally results in a stuck state with unresponsive/unavailable UI
Going between certain challenge end-level dialogs and the new UI no longer sometimes results in garbled portions of the text
The challenge level finished sound effect does not play again if you open the new UI and then return to the level finished dialog
Selecting About -> Credits does not close the About dialog if it is already open
Load Flight Recording menu's Select button is disabled if no recordings exist

Other Improvements/Fixes

Improved performance of airports with large numbers of dynamic objects

Aircraft

Thrust reversing on equipped models is engaged by holding button I on the InterLink DX and advancing the throttle. Previously it was assigned to Switch A. (This change happened prior to this build, but we wanted to draw attention to it.)

How to Get It
Steam will detect the new version and automatically update RealFlight when it thinks your computer is not very busy. You can trigger the update manually if desired by completely restarting Steam. Right-click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

Announcing RealFlight Evolution

We are proud to announce the release of RealFlight Evolution! This new version will break the standard release/upgrade cycle and remain in the market for many years. The software will continue evolving and improving over time, with updates provided automatically and for free. New content (aircraft, airports, etc.) will be offered for purchase as DLC, individually and in bundles.

This title will be around for a long time, so if you don’t see anything below that convinces you to upgrade, we encourage you to continue enjoying the version of RealFlight that you have now. Evolution will be here when you’re ready.

[h1]RealFlight Evolution offers:[/h1]

Tons of added models and airports
Access to more new models and flying fields in the future
A brand-new controller-friendly user interface
Refreshed 3D airports
Free and discounted upgrade eligibility
64-bit architecture

[h2]New Content: Brand-New Models[/h2]
RealFlight Evolution contains by far the most new models we’ve ever released in a new version:
[olist]

Blade 150 S

Blade Fusion 480 (Stretched)

Blade InFusion 180

E-flite Carbon-Z Cessna 150T 2.1m (4S & 6S)

E-flite Cirrus SR22T 1.5m (3S & 4S)*

E-flite Conscendo Evolution 1.5m (4S)

E-flite F-16 Falcon 80mm EDF (with ordnance & tanks)

E-flite Habu SS 50mm EDF

E-flite Habu SS 70mm EDF (4S & 6S)

E-flite Night Timber X 1.2m Float Plane (4S with slats)**

E-flite T-28 Trojan 1.2m (3S & 4S)

E-flite Timber X 1.2m Float Plane (4S with slats)**

E-flite UMX Radian

E-flite UMX Timber X

E-flite UMX Ultrix

E-flite Viper 90mm EDF

Hangar9 Ultra Stick 10cc

Hangar9 Ultra Stick PNP

HobbyZone Carbon Cub S 2 1.3m
[/olist]
*A major update to the existing Cirrus model, offering 4S capability, a new powertrain, and a new color scheme
**A completely new float version of an existing model

[h2]More New Content: Triple Tree Main Flight Line[/h2]
Come fly at our brand new PhotoField airport! Triple Tree Aerodrome is a 501c3 non-profit organization located in Woodruff, South Carolina. Their sprawling 400-acre facility is a mecca for aviation that’s home to many full-scale and radio-control events, including the world-famous Joe Nall week and Triple Tree Fly-In, as well as year-round educational opportunities within their Aviation Centered Education (ACE) portfolio. This is the main flying site/flightline that features an incredibly well-manicured and maintained 7,000-foot long by 400-foot-wide grass runway.

[h2]Even More New Content: Expansion Pack/Mega Pack Aircraft and Airports[/h2]
We often hear from users who want models or airports that were released in the Expansion Packs or Mega Packs, but those packs are discontinued and have been largely unavailable for a long time. Good news! We listened, and we’re simply giving it to you! Almost all of that content is now part of Evolution. That means a whole lot of vehicles as well as a bunch of PhotoField and 3D airports. Please view "List of added content in RealFlight Evolution" for the complete list of more than 20 airports and well over 100 aircraft!

[h2]Access to Still More New Models and Flying Fields in the Future[/h2]
Evolution gives you access to new models and flying fields that will release quarterly (starting in early 2023) for purchase à la carte, in money-saving content packs, or with yearly season passes. We’ll talk more about how this works down the road.

[h2]New User Interface[/h2]
Pressing the ESC key on your keyboard or the Cancel button on your controller brings up RealFlight’s new, more visually appealing main menu system. Replacing the old menu means we can provide a modern user interface where you can accomplish almost everything using the controller, though of course keyboard and mouse are fully supported too.

The new menu system allows you to configure multiple aspects of your flying experience all at once (such as model, airport, pilot location, color scheme, camera type, even environment settings like wind and sun) and then click Fly to begin your session with everything set up exactly how you want it. The new menus also offer powerful new filtering capabilities (see "Selection dialog filters in the new user interface" for more details).

It is worth mentioning that all of the familiar keyboard shortcuts still work in Evolution, too. Press ‘H’ while flying or choose Help -> Keyboard Commands from the main menu for a complete list.

[h2]3D Airport Improvements[/h2]
A great many airport objects were replaced with new and improved versions. The design of some airports was freshened as well, and where extra “HD” versions of a few airports existed we have consolidated them into one. Some airports were revamped more than others, but all of them (except the old EP airports) are improved to some degree in RealFlight Evolution. It results in a sometimes subtle but perceptible enhancement. This is a long-term ongoing effort. Expect to see continuing improvement over the coming months and probably even years.

[h2]Free and Discounted Upgrade Options[/h2]
RealFlight users who purchased 9.5S or upgraded to it from RealFlight Trainer Edition after 9.5S was released last year receive RealFlight Evolution for free! Other RealFlight 9.x and RealFlight Trainer Edition users are eligible for a 30% discount. The details can be a little bit confusing; for more information please read "Free Upgrade and Discounted Upgrade Information".

This is the best upgrade deal on RealFlight in a very long time—perhaps ever! Eligibility for the free version goes back nearly a full year, and the discounted upgrade price does not expire or require you to fill out and mail in a rebate form then wait 6-8 weeks.

If you are a RealFlight 9.0/9.5 DVD edition user, please read "How to Upgrade to RealFlight Evolution from a RealFlight 9 DVD Edition".

[h2]64-bit Architecture[/h2]
RealFlight Evolution is a 64-bit application, in contrast to previous versions of RealFlight. This architecture change does not bring any performance or feature improvements by itself, but it is part of modernizing our proprietary engine, and it has allowed us to begin development on some exciting upcoming changes. Watch the forums and community for more details and beta codes as they become available.

[h2]How to Buy[/h2]
RealFlight Evolution is available for purchase through your local hobby shop, at horizonhobby.com, and directly from Steam. If you are eligible for discounted upgrade pricing, you must purchase directly from Steam.

[h2]Software Delivery via Steam[/h2]
Note that regardless of where you buy it, the Evolution software itself is delivered through Steam. Learn more about Steam.

Recommended controllers available at Hobby Shops, Horizon Hobby, and Amazon

Our favorite controllers can be purchased online or at your local hobby shop.

Local: Find a hobby shop near you.

Online:

InterLink DX
Horizon Hobby and Amazon
WS2000 Spektrum Dongle
Horizon Hobby and Amazon

RealFlight Evolution v10.00.022 - Product activation change

The RealFlight product activation process no longer requires special permissions. If you were previously stuck at this step, please try again after obtaining this update.