X-Plane 12
Laminar Research Releases X-Plane 12.3.1 Update: New ATC, FMS Improvements, and Vulkan Optimizations
By David Park · · 2 min read
X-Plane 12.3.1 is now available, bringing a rebuilt ATC system with SID/STAR support, FMS enhancements for default aircraft, and Vulkan performance gains. The update also adds new default liveries and fixes for third-party add-ons.
Laminar Research has released X-Plane 12.3.1, a significant update that addresses long-standing community requests. The headline feature is a completely rewritten ATC system that now supports full SID and STAR assignments, altitude crossing restrictions, and more natural phraseology. The new ATC also integrates with the default FMS to provide clearances based on the active flight plan, reducing the need for manual vectoring.
The default FMS in the Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A330 has been updated with improved VNAV path computation, RNP approach support, and better LNAV tracking in turns. Laminar has also optimized the Vulkan renderer, resulting in up to 15% higher framerates in dense scenery areas, particularly with high object density settings. Additionally, the update includes new default liveries for the A330 and Citation X, and fixes numerous bugs reported by third-party developers.
Third-party compatibility is a focus: ToLiss and FlightFactor have both confirmed that their aircraft are compatible with 12.3.1, and updates will be released shortly to take advantage of new datarefs. The update is available now via the X-Plane installer. Laminar also announced that a public beta for X-Plane 12.4 will begin in November, focusing on weather radar and particle effects. As always, users are encouraged to back up their preferences before updating.
Tags: Laminar Research, X-Plane 12, Update, ATC, Vulkan