Blackbird Simulations has released the Dirty 30 ADV for Microsoft Flight Simulator, bringing a high-fidelity recreation of the C-130J-30 Super Hercules to the sim. The aircraft has been designed with input from real-world pilots and subject matter experts, resulting in a detailed model intended for both casual flying and those wanting to take it more seriously.
The package comes with both the 30 Long and 30 Short variants, a custom EFB, and multiple options for cargo. Furthermore, there are animated doors & ramps, a complex radar system (with ground mapping, beam width/tilt, offset, and weather modes), along with systems-driven failures. In total, there are over 120 functional manual circuit breakers and over 900 electronic circuit breakers, which are controllable through the avionics system.
A key highlight is the inclusion of an in-depth flight model based on real-world data, offering realistic handling characteristics across various flight regimes. Real-world pilots of the aircraft type have been involved from the start, helping ensure that this is a faithful recreation of the plane.
What is important to note is that this is an Alpha Release. Blackbird Simulations is clear that this is a product that is not yet fully complete. They say that it is “96% feature complete”, and there will be regular updates. There is no definitive release timeframe for beta or release builds, but the team wanted input from the community.
As a result of the alpha release, they are setting the price to an initial price of $24.99 USD (local taxes may apply). The price will go up over time as features are added and progress is made. The first update is planned for next week when Blackbird says that the price will go up. Below is the full list of areas that are still seeing improvements in their implementation.
Compatibility with MSFS SU2 beta is not guaranteed
Sounds – basic sounds are in but need more detail
Engine and aircraft performance – needs refining
Autopilot – needs refining
Throttle calibration system – incomplete
Fire Handle system – incomplete
Fire detection and test – incomplete
APU – working but needs realism improved
Fuel – fuel transfer is buggy
Some CNI-MU soft panels buggy
Holding patterns – buggy
Single Point Refueling using tablet – incomplete
FLCV test – incomplete
Failures – some failures work, some don’t, and failure list is incomplete
Ice Protection – incomplete
Effects of ECBUs and BAUs failing or being taken offline
BIU BACKUP mode – needs work (and to be added to failures list)
Defensive systems including flares and chaff – incomplete
IPRA – incomplete
CARP – incomplete
CAPS – planned
TIME NAV – incomplete
BUS STATUS, SW QUERY, and MAINTENANCE pages – incomplete
TAWS warnings – incomplete
CNI-MU TOLD and W/B auto-fill from tablet – planned
Fuel truck bugged
Aileron animation reversed
Crew and paratroop doors still don’t work consistently from the tablet
Manual/backup extension of gear and flaps from tablet – planned
Missing a LOD texture on the USAF livery
Screen brightness set to minimum by default
Here is the feature set for the plane.
Deeply accurate avionics, flight, and engine systems
True-to-life fuel, electrical, and hydraulic modeling
High-detail 3D models and ultra-crisp textures
Performance tuned to match real-world data
Custom hardware input system allowing control of hundreds of parameters unique to this aircraft through the built-in tablet
For advanced cockpit builders, there is an SDK through which any switch in the cockpit may be read or set directly
Custom Ground Power Unit
Multiple cargo configurations & payload types
Two fuselage options: Long and Short
3 rear cockpit variants for different roles
10 stunning liveries
System-driven failures for high-stakes realism
Gorgeous night lighting inside and out
Animated extras—including a galley with working microwave (seriously)
Fully animated doors, ramps, and access points
Highly complex radar system including ground mapping with terrain shadows, beam width and tilt, offset, expand, freeze and more, as well as air-to-air (skin paint) and weather modes
(Note: ground mapping will not pick up buildings or moving objects)
Digital Map display with worldwide coverage using Navigraph VFR charts (Navigraph subscription required)
Custom Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) display
Exceptionally realistic Kalman filter-based dual Inertial Navigation System with fully modeled Schuler errors, earth rotation effects, four different alignment modes, GPS and VOR/TACAN updating
Common Cursor system enabling GPS-out position updates for the INS using the ground-mapping radar and HUD
TCAS TA/RA system integrated with the HUD and navigation displays and implemented using the real algorithms per the TCAS standard.
Full-featured HUD, including ground references and Common Cursor integration
Up to 16 (depending on variant) avionics screens/MFD with hundreds of pages
Over 120 fully working Manual Circuit Breakers (MCBs) accessible in the cockpit
Over 900 Electronic Circuit Breakers (ECBs) controllable through the avionics system
Over 100 cockpit lighting parameters adjustable through the avionics system
Custom Flight Director/Autopilot with 4 lateral modes, 6 vertical modes, and autothrottle