In an exciting update for the flight simulation community, A2A Simulations has hinted at the possible arrival of their next aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator later this year.
There has been much speculation as to what A2A would do next after the incredible Comanche 250, but that doubt seems to have now been cleared up with an understated announcement made by Scott Gentile, owner of A2A Simulations, in a statement shared via a email from FSExpo. , highlighting some of the main supporters of the event.
Scott Gentile expressed his gratitude to Microsoft and the flight sim community for the success of the Comanche 250, the first aircraft built with Accu-Sim 2.0 technology. He stated, “We want to thank Microsoft and the flight sim community for making the Comanche 250 such a huge success. It is our first aircraft built with Accu-Sim 2.0 technology and now we are using the same physics to develop an Aerostar 600.“
The legacy and troubled history of the Aerostar 600
The Aerostar 600 has a rich history both in the real world and in A2A’s efforts to bring it to the flight simulation community. Scott Gentile, who owned and operated Aerostar for several years, emphasized the personal connection and passion that A2A Simulations brings to their projects. “Like the Comanche, it’s an airplane that I’ve owned and operated for several years, and it’s our passion at A2A to really bring that airplane ownership experience to life,” added Gentile.
However, the development of the Aerostar 600 for the MSFS has faced significant challenges. The project hit a major roadblock when Scott Gentile’s personal Aerostar, which was being used as a reference model for the simulation, was damaged during an emergency landing. On New Year’s Eve, Scott and his son Jack were forced to land the plane without extending the left landing gear, resulting in damage that made it impossible to fly again.
Despite this incident, A2A Simulations managed to collect much of the required data before the accident, allowing them to continue with the development of the virtual Aerostar 600. Check out below an early video recorded by the team on the actual Aerostar 600 they are modeling for the sim, registration N122PC, which shows some features of that particular aircraft being fought will likely need to be taken into the next rendering for MSFS.
Building on the Success of the Comanche 250
The Comanche 250 set a new standard for flight simulation with its Accu-Sim 2.0 technology, offering an unmatched level of realism in flight dynamics and systems management. The same advanced physics and simulation techniques will be used in the development of the Aerostar 600. This ensures that virtual pilots can expect a highly detailed and authentic flight experience.
The development of the Aerostar 600 is not only about adding another aircraft to the MSFS line, but also about expanding the skills and experiences available to the people who fly. The transition from a single-engine aircraft to a twin-engine aircraft presents new challenges and learning opportunities, increasing the depth and realism of the simulation.
Scott Gentile emphasized Aerostar’s unique flying experience, saying, “A piston twin like the Aerostar feels radically different to fly compared to the Comanche, and our physics engine does a great job of recreating that ‘feel’. It will also allow you to improve your skills as a pilot in completely new ways.“
Looking Forward
Scott Gentile concluded his announcement with an exciting outlook for the community: “We hope to bring you the first Accu-Sim twin later in 2024!” This marks an important milestone for A2A Simulations and the flight simulation community, as it will be the first twin-engine aircraft developed with Accu-Sim technology for MSFS.
Last year, the Comanche 250 was one of the highlights of FSExpo. Will we see A2A preview the Aerostar 600 this year? It’s unlikely as it looks like it’s still months away from completion, but we can hope. Still, this announcement sets the stage for a new renewed interest in A2A Simulations aircraft, and finally the cooking can be done for what is sure to be another exciting aircraft simulation!
