Got Friends describes FS2024 “native” enhancements

[DennyA]

Saw a post from JonX on Got Friends’ Discord which does a great job highlighting all of the enhancements and FS2024-native plane can feature. A thorough explainer on why FS2024 planes take a lot more work than just a recompile.

**What is a Native Upgrade?**
This is a common question in the community: what makes a “2024 Upgrade” different from a Forward-Compatible aircraft? Even as a developer, it’s a bit confusing—mainly because there’s no clear, official explanation out there to guide users on whether an upgrade is worth it. So I wanted to break it down in simple terms, based on what we understand from the development side. **Just keep in mind that not every 2024 feature is included in every upgraded aircraft—many of these additions are specific to each project.**

**Legacy Aircraft (Takes Months to Create)**
- Only works with MSFS 2020
- Often uses custom code that breaks in MSFS 2024
- Only includes MSFS 2020 features

**Limited Compatible Aircraft (Takes Days to Validate)**
- Works well in MSFS 2020
- Partially works in MSFS 2024 but may have bugs or missing features
- Still uses 2020 features only
- Custom code often causes problems in MSFS 2024

**Forward-Compatible Aircraft (Takes Weeks to Validate)**
- Works well in both MSFS 2020 and MSFS 2024
- Includes backend fixes for MSFS 2024 stability
- No new MSFS 2024 features, just all 2020 features working reliably

**Fully Upgraded or Native MSFS 2024 Aircraft (Takes Months to Create or Upgrade)**
- Built specifically for MSFS 2024 (not for 2020)
**Includes major new features:**
- Integrates the new Pre-Flight Walkaround system, allowing full exterior inspections and interaction in first-person.
- Implements Asobo’s new character system for dynamic pilot and passenger models.
- Uses the latest flight model and engine dynamics unique to MSFS 2024, offering improved realism and support for configurations not possible in 2020.
- Supports modular variant systems, enabling developers to offer multiple configurations under one aircraft package.
- Includes attached objects like functional EFBs, cargo hoists, tethered instruments, and shared gauges—all directly mounted in the model with interactivity.
- Features deepened simulation of fuel, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical systems, exceeding the fidelity possible in MSFS 2020.
- Built with the new modular WASM architecture using Direct Write memory access for significantly faster and more efficient code execution.
- Optimized 3D models and textures supporting forced Level of Detail (LOD) logic for better performance and content streaming.
- Adaptive livery support (custom colors, logos, registration numbers), with groundwork laid for future implementation (currently not in-game).
- Offers custom controller bindings directly integrated into the control menu (e.g., aircraft-specific toggle switches or functions).
- Enables enter/exit aircraft interactions, physical collision detection around the aircraft, and first-person transitions without Ctrl+C.
- Supports visible cargo generation and loading logic, with potential for in-depth use in Career Mode systems.
- Compatible with MSFS 2024’s Career Mode, though once implemented, it is likely limited to Marketplace-purchased content.
- Adds support for physics-based model attachments, including pitot covers, parachutes, balloons, and dynamic flight surfaces (e.g., biplane/swept wing logic).
- Integrates Working Title Flight Plan v2, allowing direct flight plan transfers to modern avionics.
- Introduces wear-and-tear mechanics, with gradual buildup of dirt, grime, and environmental aging based on usage.
- Interactive first-person systems, mainly used in preflight but can extend to fuel caps, towbar handles, custom logic and more external use cases.
- Enhanced visual fidelity through support for soft-body tires, rain UV effects (fuselage droplets and wipers), smoother prop animations, and advanced material blending.
- Dual support for legacy XML model behaviors and the new EX1 behavior system, providing developers with full backward compatibility and future-proof flexibility.

Hope this post helps someone out there deciding in a Native Upgrade will be worth it. Cheers!

- Got Friends

 

[flyndive]

Appreciate the posting, @DennyA. GotFriends is a great dev team, and they provide great support/insight to the community.

I once considered updating the aircraft I've released for MSFS to be fully 2024 native, but haven't deemed it beneficial enough (yet) to do so, so I'm keeping the aircraft at the "Forward-Compatible Aircraft" level . At least 2024 now allows the 2020 avatars to be visible in 2020 aircraft (if not the newer dynamic ones). As noted, exiting an aircraft is still possible using ctrl-c (which I do with 2024 aircraft anyways). I did model an invisible collision mesh so a user can't "walk-through" the aircraft in 2024, and seems to do an acceptable job.

As I spend more time with the 2024 SDK—and as GA users continue shifting away from 2020—I’ll likely revisit the idea and consider releasing fully 2024-native versions with support for the new features. The folder structure for 2024 is significantly more complex, but it looks like others have found ways to streamline it.

- flyndive