What’s the deal with the Working Title CJ4 mod now?
Note: Microsoft pushed SU15 pre-release out to beta testers on February 24th which includes a new plug-in model for the FMS. This means any add-ons that use the FMS will break, specifically the dementedmonkey web application. Until those add-ons have access to the documentation for the new plug-in model you’ll either need to disable them or revert back to the SU14 release.
In January 2023 Microsoft/Asobo released “AAU1”, a massive overhaul of several default planes in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, including a complete rewrite of the CJ4.
People still seem to be confused by this update and often come to the Working Title Discord with questions. Here are answers to the common ones.
Do I still need to install the mod from the Working Title website?
No.
The plane was re-written from the ground up and all future updates ship directly with MSFS2020.
There is no need to install a mod anymore to get the latest and greatest. You should uninstall any Working Title CJ4 mod you may have in your community folder.
How do I install and find the Working Title CJ4 in flight sim then?
It is the default CJ4 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 now. If you run MSFS2020 you have it, the “AAU1” update is downloaded automatically.
Simply search for “CJ4” in the plane list. The one that shows up is the one you want.
How do I know I have the re-written, latest and greatest, version?
Turn on the avionics. Look at the co-pilot’s MFD and verify it has a dedicated section for CAS messages at the top of the display (the two white rectangles):
They “rewrote” it so… is it better? What’s new with the plane?
Yes, it is better. The release notes for Aircraft & Avionics Update 1 give a good overview of all the improvements:
The Cessna Citation CJ4 avionics have been heavily upgraded to bring an authentic CJ4 avionics experience:
- Comprehensive visual overhaul for accurate font, symbology, look, operation, and feel
- Independent MFD and FMS operation
- Advanced flight plan support, including arcs, radius-to-fix, intercepts, hold, procedure turns, missed approaches, and custom waypoint scratchpad entry
- Coupled VNAV with editable constraints, flight path angles, vertical path smoothing, and VNAV-invalidation conditions
- Advanced autopilot, including armable lateral and vertical modes as well as complex combined-armed modes – Full specification-accurate TCAS II traffic system
- Cabin pressurization and complete Crew Alerting System
- FMS performance calculations for takeoff and landing speeds
- Integrated dual engine FADEC systems with N1 mode indications and accurate N1 targets
- Independent display options and state-saving
- Enhanced FMS Text MFD display modes
- Keyboard entry mode for FMS data entry
- AHRS alignment and startup sequence
- Improved flight model:
- Improvements to ground and crosswind handing during the takeoff and landing phases
- Improvements to flight control performance accuracy, smoothness, and handling
- Improvements to fuel consumption accuracy
- Improvements to handling while in ground effect
- Improved engine and interior sound effects
What happened to Simbrief data import?
It was removed, but as of Sim Update 13 (released September 28, 2023) it is back. You can find it under IDX > ROUTE MENU on the FMC. See the Navigraph blog post for full details on how to set it up.
What happened to Navigraph Charts integration?
It’s gone. Navigraph has previously stated they don’t want to deal with forking the code to add chart support, which is understandable. Here is one comment on it from Navigraph. HOWEVER! As of SU15 pre-release there is a plug-in model for the CJ4 which should allow 3rd parties like Navigraph to add features without having to copy the entire code, which is a promising development.
What happened to ground power?
It was removed, but as of Sim Update 13 (released September 28, 2023) it is back. You can find it under IDX > USR SETTINGS. You still need to be parked at a gate that supports ground power for it to work.
Note that real world pilots rarely use ground power with the CJ4. They just start the engines instead.
What happened to the checklists?
The focus for the rewrite of the CJ4 was on avionics and flight model. The checklist feature was, unfortunately, cut due to time. The Working Title team has said it will be coming back though and they even posted a preview of it to the Discord! There is no announced release date for it, and it was not included in Sim Update 13.
What happened to the passenger briefing sounds?
They weren’t included in the rewrite due to rights reasons. Other sounds, like the 500′ callout, are supported because they reuse default sounds included in MSFS 2020.
My liveries don’t work anymore. What’s going on?
Most liveries have updated at this point to work with the rewritten CJ4. If you find one that isn’t working it is likely because it completely overrides the panel.cfg file, which is a no no. You can resolve the issue by replacing the livery’s panel.cfg file with the one from Working Title.
Why does the plane refuse to take off until well after the Vr speed?
Nobody knows. This doesn’t happen for everyone, and it doesn’t happen all the time. There is no known workaround, all you can do is keep holding back on the yoke until the plane decides to take off.
Why isn’t TOD/VNAV working?
VNAV works fine but does require some extra steps to get configured the first time. See my blog post on configuring VNAV for how to get it up and running.
I’m getting white screens. What’s going on?
You can resolve white screens by checking the following:
- Make sure that you are not using old WT CJ4 mods of the plane or avionics packages
- Make sure you don’t use an old livery that fully overrides panel.cfg (which only old obscure ones would still do)
- If you are using the CJ4 Cockpit Texture mod then update it to the latest version