X-Plane 12
X-Plane 12.2.0 Beta Released: Enhanced Weather Radar and ATC Improvements
By Rachel Morrison · · 2 min read
Laminar Research launches X-Plane 12.2.0 beta, introducing a new weather radar simulation, improved ATC vectoring, and performance optimizations for Vulkan. The update also includes updated default aircraft and revised runway textures.
Laminar Research has released the first beta of X-Plane 12.2.0, bringing a suite of improvements that will be welcomed by both airliner and GA pilots. The most significant addition is a new weather radar simulation that models attenuation and beam tilt, allowing pilots to realistically interpret precipitation returns in the default Airbus A330-300 and other equipped aircraft. This feature is particularly relevant for flying into convective weather, as it now accounts for signal blockage and ground clutter.
The default ATC system has also received attention, with improved vectoring logic for STARs and a reduction in the infamous "turn to heading" spams. Laminar notes that ATC will now better handle altitude restrictions and speed assignments, making IFR flights in busy airspace like London Heathrow (EGLL) or New York JFK (KJFK) more seamless. Additionally, the Vulkan driver has been optimized for multi-threaded rendering, promising up to 10% frame rate improvements on high-end systems.
Other changes include updated runway textures with higher-resolution asphalt and concrete, revised default aircraft flight models for the Cessna 172 and Cirrus SR22, and fixes for the replay system. The beta is available now via the X-Plane installer, and Laminar encourages users to report bugs in the official forums. As with any beta, users should back up their settings and be prepared for potential instability. The full release is expected in late November 2026.
Tags: X-Plane 12, Laminar Research, beta, weather radar, ATC