New RealFlight 9.5 public beta (9.50.028) for all versions

[Ryan Douglas]

We are pleased to announce that RealFlight version 9.50.028 is now available as a free public beta download for all versions of the software (DVD, Tower Hobbies Digital, and Steam)!

The most important change in this version is that we've taken steps to reduce (and hopefully eliminate) false positive results from antivirus (AV) software. Starting with the release of RealFlight 9.5, various AV packages had begun incorrectly viewing some parts of our software as malicious, causing them to quarantine (remove) those files. This typically affected the Launcher and LauncherHelper (making things like software updates impossible) and the product installer.

All our applications are now digitally signed with a certificate that should cause AV software to trust them implicitly and not quarantine them. Our in-house testing was very positive, but with all the possible permutations of AV software packages, virus definition updates, and other variations between different computers, this is something that needs more widespread exposure before we can truly know how well it is working. Please update and let us know your results!

Note that if you've been affected by this issue previously, you may be unable to update to the new 9.50.028 build now! Follow the instructions here to resolve that, then come back here and proceed as normal.

The second priority for this update is various improvements to our controller support. In particular that includes the new NX series of Spektrum radios which can connect directly to the PC via USB and function as a controller in RealFlight without any additional hardware! Read on for more details.

Features

• Program executables are digitally signed to help mitigate antivirus software false positive results
• Added support for Spektrum NX-series radios connected directly via USB*
• Added an "InterLink DX (Mode 1)" radio profile**

Improvements/Fixes

• Controller deadband is now disabled by default***
• Updated art for various airport objects

Aircraft

• Piper Cub Float Plane: Steering gear turn direction is no longer reversed
• Piper Cub Float Plane: Gear retracts are properly synchronized
• Synergy 766: Fixed minor yaw vibration (mostly evident from nose cam)

How to Get It

To gain early access and help test:

DVD and Tower Hobbies Digital versions

1. Start the RealFlight Launcher
2. Click Technical Support
3. Click Enter Tech Support Code
4. Enter the following code: PBEC#y5x8932he54c
5. If successful, you will see a message saying "You are now registered to use the Public Beta site until the new version is posted to official download site.")
6. Click Update to Specific Version, choose 9.50.028 from the list, and click OK.

Steam version:

1. Right-click on RealFlight 9.5 in your Steam Library, then select Properties
2. In the Properties window, select the Betas tab, and click the dropdown list
3. Select "publicbeta"
4. Close the Properties dialog
5. Wait for RealFlight 9.5 to update. If it doesn't do so immediately, you can force an update by completely restarting Steam. To do so, right click the Steam icon in your system tray and select Exit. Once everything closes, run Steam again, and the update should complete.

 

[Ryan Douglas]

*Select the new "Spektrum NX series" radio profile in the Select Controller dialog.

**Mode 1 users should also change the radio gadget display mode. From the main menu, select Gadgets -> Radio Mode (gadget only) -> Mode 1.

***We hope to do a little more here before a full public release. At this time nothing will change automatically for users who have already run the software. You must change the value yourself if desired. From the main menu select Simulation -> Settings... Then in the Settings dialog, select Controller in the left pane and adjust Deadband Percentage as desired.

 

[Ryan Douglas]

The Steam public beta is now available as well. Instructions are in the original post above. You can also read about it on the Steam forums.