The X-Plane 12.3 beta is out, so let’s kick the tires on the new features in a Florida Keys hop in the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50: fully simulated weather radar, the return of synthetic vision on the PFD, and better multi-PC sync.

This is a sunset hop from Punta Gorda (KPGD) to Marathon (KMTH) and Key West (KEYW) in the Cirrus Vision Jet SF50 to put the X-Plane 12.3 beta through its paces. We test the new fully simulated airborne weather radar (gain/tilt/vertical profile), the return of synthetic vision on the PFD, and improved multi-PC sync that keeps live/road traffic and displays in lockstep. Planned in ForeFlight and flown mostly at 9,500 MSL, we thread between Florida summer cells, compare onboard returns to NEXRAD, watch the stormscope for lightning, and talk through descent math, glide rings, and using AP VS/IAS modes. Along the way I show how 12.3 lets you assign avionics pages to dedicated monitors, we almost have a runway-ID gotcha near NAS Key West, and then set up a straight-in to RWY 27 at KEYW. No PilotEdge on this one—just Miami Center in the background for NAT/ATC flavor—plus a home-cockpit view (RealSimGear + Noble side-stick, triple monitors) and LiveTraffic for added realism.

Debrief: Live Traffic works great in this video. The new beta features are great and work great. My big miss is mistaking the Key West Naval Air Station runway as KEYW runway 27 but we figure it out soon enough. I also mis-state some things through the stream. That’s a factor of end-of-day and talking for 90 minutes straight.