Saw an article reporting that FlyJSims development is in bad shape due to life issues affecting Jack, the lead dev. 

FJS shared in their Discord that the 727 rebuild for XP12 is for all intents and purposes dead, and the 732 is moribund but might get a compatibility patch for XP12 at some point. 

the only bright spot is that the Q400 is in good shape for XP12 and will continue to receive updates as needed. 

this is extremely sad news as the FJS 727 was one of my personal favorites in XP 11 (it is, in fact, still installed and gets some occasional use ☺️). I had been looking forward to the v12 rebuilds as the new sim version is so much more enjoyable than before.

I can only hope that Jack and the rest of his team can figure out how to recover or pass the torch so those brilliant addons continue on. 

in any case, best wishes to Jack, come what may.

Edited October 7, 2025Oct 7 by UrgentSiesta

Very dissappointing news indeed - been holding on to the FJS 727 and 737 in the hope that it may come to be , even got temporarly banned at the ORG for asking when and when a year after it was said they would be doing it (Claimed I was trolling - pigs rear! it was) As compensation at least there is the 737-300 by IXEG with steam guages.  As for FJS I fear they have not long to last as a viable business if that is the case and glad I did not get the Q400 (Got the Manky version freeware if I want to scratch that itch)

Pity that someone like the gifted Omarza who got the RW Design Twin Otter up and fixed beautifully for XP12 and the Carenado Fokker F50 as well could have sorted it (there is not all that much wrong with the 727)where he interested but old fashioned jets maybe not - he prefers the turboprops but it seems he is also taking a break due to personal problems as well - sigh!

Edited October 8, 2025Oct 8 by coastaldriver

2 hours ago, coastaldriver said:

glad I did not get the Q400 (Got the Manky version freeware if I want to scratch that itch)

Why are you glad not having got the Q400? It’s one of the best addons in XP12 and is still being updated with a soon to come weather-radar.

Yes, this is sad news. Hopefully, we will get from Nimbus a decent quality 707 soon. Let's hope that in the future they may decide to develop a 727 line.

Glad to have some closure, however disappointing, on the 727 and all the best to Jack.

 

Nimbus could use the now opening market opportunity, considering them already working on a 707 (which does have a bit of commonality to the 727 in some areas.

2 hours ago, alexcolka said:

we will get from Nimbus a decent quality 707 soon. Let's hope that in the future they may decide to develop a 727 line.

Based on their UH-1 addon, they’re capable of very good work. 👍

but there’s quite a gulf between a helicopter and a even a 1960’s 4 engine jetliner. 

I hope they do a great job - will be happy to buy it if it’s a good addon. Especially given the FJS news. 

24 minutes ago, UrgentSiesta said:

but there’s quite a gulf between a helicopter and a even a 1960’s 4 engine jetliner. 

There's a BN-2 and an Aero 500S in between and I can't see why a 707 would pose a massive obstacle. Systems-wise, it's comparatively crude as long as generator frequency fluctuation due to solar activity isn't part of the feature list.

I mean airfoillabs is doing a 737M and they've never ventured past King Air size before...

On 10/7/2025 at 2:57 PM, UrgentSiesta said:

Saw an article reporting that FlyJSims development is in bad shape due to life issues affecting Jack, the lead dev. 

FJS shared in their Discord that the 727 rebuild for XP12 is for all intents and purposes dead, and the 732 is moribund but might get a compatibility patch for XP12 at some point. 

the only bright spot is that the Q400 is in good shape for XP12 and will continue to receive updates as needed. 

this is extremely sad news as the FJS 727 was one of my personal favorites in XP 11 (it is, in fact, still installed and gets some occasional use ☺️). I had been looking forward to the v12 rebuilds as the new sim version is so much more enjoyable than before.

I can only hope that Jack and the rest of his team can figure out how to recover or pass the torch so those brilliant addons continue on. 

in any case, best wishes to Jack, come what may.

I’m sorry, but honestly, I find the whole situation really disrespectful toward your customers. There’s just been too much dishonesty — it would be better to simply tell the truth instead of making things up. I hold no ill will toward Jack; I don’t even know him personally. He’s talented, and I wish him good health. But what he did wasn’t right, and he still has a chance to fix it.

I started using X-Plane fairly late — I think around version 10 — and later got the beloved 727 for version 11. I was really looking forward to at least a compatibility update for 12 and would’ve gladly paid a fair price for it. But after waiting all this time for nothing, and seeing people get banned or silenced just for asking questions… that really bothered me. I’ve always valued freedom of speech, and from what I’ve seen, this situation was handled very poorly.

Look, I have serious health problems myself, but if I can’t do something, I’ll say it honestly. That’s all people really want — the truth.

38 minutes ago, Silverbird said:

I was really looking forward to at least a compatibility update for 12 and would’ve gladly paid a fair price for it.

Definitely disappointing when a product doesn't get the support you expect. However, I have an unpopular opinion that when you buy a product for specify version of the SIM, support for the next version is not guaranteed. If you buy a plane for xplane 12, do so with the understanding that there may not be another version for xplane 13. Many things can change during that time like finance or health. But I agree that is it best to be honest about it.

56 minutes ago, Silverbird said:

But after waiting all this time for nothing, and seeing people get banned or silenced just for asking questions… that really bothered me. I’ve always valued freedom of speech, and from what I’ve seen, this situation was handled very poorly.

Unfortunately sneezing too loudly in some places might result in a ban. Should not be the case as long as one is being respectful.

7 hours ago, Silverbird said:

I’m sorry, but honestly, I find the whole situation really disrespectful toward your customers. There’s just been too much dishonesty — it would be better to simply tell the truth instead of making things up. I hold no ill will toward Jack; I don’t even know him personally. He’s talented, and I wish him good health. But what he did wasn’t right, and he still has a chance to fix it.

The developer intended to update his products.  He then ran into health issues, and made a post explaining the situation.  What exactly is “dishonest” or “made up” about that?

No point in beating this one to death. Sad to see but not the end of the world. My point about the Q400 as the only viable XP12 product was simple,+any business that relies heavily on the input of basically one person who cannot do it is in serious trouble and unlikely to survive - way it works, sad yes. 

22 hours ago, Bjoern said:

There's a BN-2 and an Aero 500S in between and I can't see why a 707 would pose a massive obstacle. Systems-wise, it's comparatively crude as long as generator frequency fluctuation due to solar activity isn't part of the feature list.

I mean airfoillabs is doing a 737M and they've never ventured past King Air size before...

IIRC, the Aero came out a long time ago - before the UH-1 - and hasn’t even been updated for v12. 

the BN-2 never had a great reputation, AFAIK, esp vs the X-Av edition . 

it took them forEVER to get the UH-1 updated for v12, and the Civ version is still v11-only. 

A good quality four engine 707 is quite a bit more complex than a fixed gear GA or a single turbine helo.

There are certainly some economies of scale in development, but just the flight engineers station is going to be more complex than the entire Huey, IMHO. Throw in the ancient nav systems, etc., and Nimbus’ glacially slow update pace, and it just doesn’t engender a high degree of confidence in the base product or sustainment thereof. 

id LOVE it if they prove me wrong, but this one is a long way from a “Day 1 Purchase”.

In re AFL, IMHO, they have proven their ability to deliver a “study level” rendition of the 172 and King Air, with a TON of extras in both. 

yes, 737 MAX avionics are undoubtedly a challenge, but I’ve more faith in AFL’s track record than Nimbus’. 

14 hours ago, Silverbird said:

I’m sorry, but honestly, I find the whole situation really disrespectful toward your customers. There’s just been too much dishonesty — it would be better to simply tell the truth instead of making things up. I hold no ill will toward Jack; I don’t even know him personally. He’s talented, and I wish him good health. But what he did wasn’t right, and he still has a chance to fix it.

I started using X-Plane fairly late — I think around version 10 — and later got the beloved 727 for version 11. I was really looking forward to at least a compatibility update for 12 and would’ve gladly paid a fair price for it. But after waiting all this time for nothing, and seeing people get banned or silenced just for asking questions… that really bothered me. I’ve always valued freedom of speech, and from what I’ve seen, this situation was handled very poorly.

Look, I have serious health problems myself, but if I can’t do something, I’ll say it honestly. That’s all people really want — the truth.

I can see your point and somewhat agree that it could’ve been handled better  

however, you (and I) got what we paid for, and that’s all we should expect.

things change, and there’s really no need for FJS to do anything else for the 727/732 owners. Sonin re those addons, there’s nothing to “fix”.

I will say I perceive some Duty to Perform in re the Q400, but as that should be relatively minor tweaks in response to XP minor point versions, im pretty sure it can & will be handled at least thru the end of v12

and even there, that addon has been on the market for years, works well, and was dutifully upgraded for XP v12, so he’s delivered, and so far has nothing to “fix”.

to me, the announcement really shows that there’s little existing, and likely waning, interest in the Classic jets. If there were huge demand, he would’ve figured it out already by shopping the work out to another 3PD, etc. 

So while I respect your right to your opinion, I also respectfully disagree with it. 🤙

Edited October 9, 2025Oct 9 by UrgentSiesta

16 hours ago, Silverbird said:

I’m sorry, but honestly, I find the whole situation really disrespectful toward your customers. There’s just been too much dishonesty — it would be better to simply tell the truth instead of making things up. I hold no ill will toward Jack; I don’t even know him personally. He’s talented, and I wish him good health. But what he did wasn’t right, and he still has a chance to fix it.

I started using X-Plane fairly late — I think around version 10 — and later got the beloved 727 for version 11. I was really looking forward to at least a compatibility update for 12 and would’ve gladly paid a fair price for it. But after waiting all this time for nothing, and seeing people get banned or silenced just for asking questions… that really bothered me. I’ve always valued freedom of speech, and from what I’ve seen, this situation was handled very poorly.

Look, I have serious health problems myself, but if I can’t do something, I’ll say it honestly. That’s all people really want — the truth.

Unless the developer explicity states so, you're technically not entitled to updates and every purchase is essentially a gamble.

FJS also made it clear from the earliest days of XP12's shelf life that the 727 was the lowest priority. From the glacial update pace for their Q400 and the lack of progress on the 732 over the years, the direction in which things were heading was clear. And they never prommised or announced anything, so accusing them of dishonesty is just unfair.

 

1 hour ago, UrgentSiesta said:

IIRC, the Aero came out a long time ago - before the UH-1 - and hasn’t even been updated for v12. 

the BN-2 never had a great reputation, AFAIK, esp vs the X-Av edition . 

it took them forEVER to get the UH-1 updated for v12, and the Civ version is still v11-only. 

A good quality four engine 707 is quite a bit more complex than a fixed gear GA or a single turbine helo.

There are certainly some economies of scale in development, but just the flight engineers station is going to be more complex than the entire Huey, IMHO. Throw in the ancient nav systems, etc., and Nimbus’ glacially slow update pace, and it just doesn’t engender a high degree of confidence in the base product or sustainment thereof. 

id LOVE it if they prove me wrong, but this one is a long way from a “Day 1 Purchase”.

In re AFL, IMHO, they have proven their ability to deliver a “study level” rendition of the 172 and King Air, with a TON of extras in both. 

yes, 737 MAX avionics are undoubtedly a challenge, but I’ve more faith in AFL’s track record than Nimbus’. 

I don't have any of these products, so I'll just take your word for it.

2 hours ago, UrgentSiesta said:

Duty to Perform in re the Q400

Amy still at it updating weather radar, UNS etc