Summer 2023 Update: Does the Magknight 787 Finally Deliver?

In-Depth Magknight 787 (Aviators Edition) Review: Unfiltered & Honest
Welcome to the Dreamliner for X-Plane 12. Once criticized as one of the worst X-Plane 11 add-ons, has it improved in the August 2023 update for XP12?
What's Covered
We'll conduct a full flight, instead of simply reading out the lengthy changelog, to reveal if anything has truly changed. Covering some technical aspects, including user experience, graphics, sounds & performance, as well as systems depth.
Full Disclosure
All my modules for X-Plane 12 are self-purchased. I have no ties with developers, no NDAs, and no financial incentives. I offer unbiased reviews, which are often lengthy, including todays video, my updated review for the Boeing 787-900. They're long, because they are detailed, in-depth, and unedited in real time. I think this is the best way to fairly showcase "how it REALLY is".
Unbiased & Experience
My reviews are fair, and balanced by my experience with 50+ add-ons across multiple simulators, as well as real world flying & gliding scholarships.
My Take
Spoiler: This was once one of the least satisfying modules I ever bought, an opinion that was also shared by others in the xPlane community. So why Review it again? The XP12 upgrade was free, and summer 2023 saw a big update. So Tune in to find out if the quality of the module has changed, and with it, my opinion.
Be Real, Be Honest
This isn't an ad in disguise. If you value raw honesty over sugar-coated reviews, hit the like button and consider subscribing. I have not prepared this aircraft, to know exactly what to highlight, or what to avoid, so what you see really is what you get, as always, keep it IFR - Internet Flight Rules!
My experiences, thoughts, feelings are just that - MINE! I'm sharing them here honestly, and while some people really appreciate that, others can't stand it. I make no apology for doing so. If people don't like, or disagree with me, I always welcome comments or constructive critic. For legal reasons, what I say may not always be accurate or factual, although I strive to always give correct information.
If people just want to hear that everything's amazing, and/or tightly edited content that edits out all the errors or mistakes that the aircraft (or pilot!) makes, then you're in the WRONG PLACE! This here is about being real, and the experience that comes with it, not a faux idealistic ad in disguise...
Contents:
0:00 Magknight 787 Review in xPlane 12
0:11 Quick Recap - The 787 in XP 11
2:34 Creating a Flight Plan Together
5:46 Todays Flight Newcastle to Stansted
7:03 First Impressions 789 Cockpit
9:49 The Dreamliner Really was Horrific
11:40 MAJOR Issue Mouse Pointer Steals Focus
19:53 Aligning IRS Nav Systems
23:04 Loading Flight Plan into FMC
26:17 No Plan View for the Plan!
28:26 Review the Magknight 787 Aircraft Settings
37:12 Setting up Our Departure
39:06 The Girly 3 X-Ray Departure
40:21 Problematic & Fiddly Altitude Dial
44:36 Backward Radio Settings
48:28 Unusual Flap Settings
51:44 Where's the Takeoff Page?
1:07:00 Push Back n Start
1:21:31 Take-off!
1:35:00 Fuel Dumping
1:42:21 Setting up our Arrival
2:04:56 Turning Base & Final
2:09:30 Short Final
2:12:00 Buzzin' the Tower!
2:15:35 Final Approach
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I hope you enjoyed todays video. If you did leave a like & ensure to subscribe for more - and if you feel like it, ring the bell, to be the first to hear about it!

[@alboreland5949]

787 normally starts both engines at the same time, I wonder if this one can do the same. Also cold and dark process is much longer on the real plane, when turning the batteries on you won't notice any action for 2-3 minutes as computers down below slowly boot up. Also leave the APU generators on, the only time we turn them off is for maintenance purposes or if they are MEL'd, otherwise they are automatically controlled. I'm a fully licensed mechanic (or engineer as we are called outside the US) on 787's so any other questions let me know.

[@peterwilhelmsson4168]

You should offer Magknight your services, so they have a chance =)

[@eljif4306]

u should give them some feedbacks :D

[@MH-ve5sz]

Hey I’m a 78 pilot:) I’m trying to figure out how to fly the 78 on x-plane on my MacBook. It’s not going very well so far 😅 How do I download the plane? The game starts with a bunch of random aircraft loaded. 🤷‍♀️😂

[@kiwinesss]

GOod one boss, almost daily videos now :)

[@JeffEngle_rvbuiltfortwo]

Good review, and pretty accurate in my view. I’ve had this product for a few years and took some time early on to get proficient in flying it. I understood that it is was a work in progress; but have seen very little real progress in usability and performance. I still monitor the discord channel, forums and KZbin to see if there is any improvement. Not seeing anything worth trying it again. Last install for me was when the XP 12 version came out. As much as I dislike MSFS 2020, the Horizon 787 is pretty descent now - way ahead of this product, and it’s freeware if you have the full blown MSFS version.

[@Kilosim]

You can load the plane perfectly well from the native w/b menu

[@ReadyIB-cg1kc]

what is the flight planning tool you use?

[@elliectroncake]

Notice how the route on your ND is absolutely messed up.. :( during pushback at 1:08:38 for example

[@elliectroncake]

The 8.33 kHz radio setting is not backwards :) 8.33 kHz is the interval, not two decimal places of precision as you misinterpreted it. OFF means the frequencies are in 25 kHz intervals, hence why it rounded 118.38 to 118.375. Turning it to ON enables the 8.33 kHz increment, allowing you to tune 118.380.

[@onethatfell2001]

I think he meant 8.325 & 8.330 & 8.335 (so 3 decimal points he should have said) The setting to 8.33 being "ON" he had to type in 3 decimal points, not 2 decimal points shown. At least I think that's what he was getting at

[@InternetFlightRules]

yes that's exactly what I meant. The radio setting for 3 decimal points should read something like 128.125 but if this was limited to 2 decimal points it should read something like 128.13 instead. Not ticking the "2 decimal points setting" gave me only 2 decimal points, and enabling the "2 decimal points setting" somehow gave me access to 3. the setting is obviously backwards way on, and by itself a very minor "bug" or "oversight" by alongside everything else kinda sums this module up

[@Frank59459]

Hi community! I’m having a hard time deciding whether I should buy this aircraft while it’s on sale now. I would save 40%. I heard many complaints on how bugged and “unfinished” it is at current status. But I’m also seeing constant updates from dev, so will the bugs eventually get fixed in future updates? Thx for helping me decide.

[@jasongushoney5693]

idk i just bought it today and it's not looking good. Entering data and flight information in the Magknit is not simple or good. Compared to the Zibo 737 which is free I honestly think you shouldn't get it now and maybe wait

[@onethatfell2001]

I've just watched your full video, and I'm surprised they got away with this since 2018! I can't believe they don't have a way to load fuel and passangers though, Are you sure this is correct?

[@InternetFlightRules]

Unfortunately... YES I'm sure - so full disclosure, this aircraft was obviously available in XP11 and back then you COULD change these numbers, but you can't in XP12. I wasted several minutes trying to figure out how to do it (I cut some of that out as it went on and on) and ended up reading their support forums. Apologies for slow reply!

[@Chrisi77W]

I talked to the dev. Apparantely, it was too difficult for them to convert the EFB Stuff including weight and Balance site into X-Plane 12

[@davidbrownlee8903]

That plane is an embarrassment

[@chickennugget1081]

Is the update from 11 to 12 free, or must I buy the 12 version?

[@InternetFlightRules]

Unfortunately it's a new purchase for a new product, so requires buying again (xplane 11 -> xplane 12) Xplane 11 was on the go for about 5-6 years, so I don't think it's too extreme they finally decided to draw a line in the sand for the free updates, and start again with version 12. They make several updates per year for free, like most developers do, and still work on version 11 (I think!) - although its now kinda dated looking against version 12. I think if they were to release a new version every year or so, and then charge for it, that would be asking a bit much.

[@ilusion-simulation3317]

its free :) i have this 2 versions x-plane 11 maj for x-plane12 free for me

[@chickennugget1081]

@@ilusion-simulation3317 how would I get it for free?

[@thundercrosssplitattack2064]

I know i'm very late, but the autothrottle does not disconnect at all for me, so it is a nightmare during landing

[@MH-ve5sz]

How so? Do they not work as normal in the game?

[@thundercrosssplitattack2064]

@@MH-ve5sz Magknight 787 is a low-quality add on for its price. And it's Xplane 12 that I was using, there's almost no effort from the developers

[@argonautrblx]

When freeware is better than payware

[@IceCreamIsYummy1]

why cant i push back

[@marshie1337]

i'm so glad i never bought this plane lol

[@CptLee33]

This thing will never ever be passable.. this aircraft is so half completed..