In a thrilling 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’s been plenty of speculation about what A2A would do next after the outstanding Comanche 250, but this doubt seems to have now been cleared with an understated announcement made by Scott Gentile, the owner of A2A Simulations, in a statement shared via an email from FSExpo, highlighting some of the event’s key supporters.
Scott Gentile expressed his gratitude towards Microsoft and the flight sim community for the success of their 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 big success. It’s our first aircraft built with Accu-Sim 2.0 technology and now we’re 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 already in the effort of A2A to bring it to the flight simulation community. Scott Gentile, who owned and operated the Aerostar for several years, emphasized the personal connection and passion A2A Simulations brings to their projects. “Like the Comanche, it’s an aircraft I’ve owned and operated for several years and it’s our passion at A2A to really bring this experience of aircraft ownership to life,” Gentile added.
However, the development of the Aerostar 600 for MSFS has faced significant challenges. The project hit a major setback when Scott Gentile’s personal Aerostar, which was being used as the reference model for the simulation, suffered damage during an emergency landing. On New Year’s Eve, Scott and his son Jack were forced to land the aircraft without its left landing gear extended, resulting in damage that rendered it infeasible to fly again.
Despite this incident, A2A Simulations managed to gather much of the required data before the accident, allowing them to continue with the development of the virtual Aerostar 600. Watch below an early video recorded by the team in the actual Aerostar 600 they are modeling for the sim, registration N122PC, which shows some idiosyncrasies of that particular aircraft which simmers will likely have to deal with in the upcoming rendition 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, delivering an unparalleled level of realism in flight dynamics and systems management. The same advanced physics and simulation techniques will be employed in the development of the Aerostar 600. This ensures that virtual pilots can expect a highly detailed and authentic flying experience.
The development of the Aerostar 600 is not just about adding another aircraft to the MSFS lineup but also about expanding the skills and experiences available to simmers. The transition from a single-engine to a twin-engine aircraft introduces new challenges and learning opportunities, enhancing the depth and realism of the simulation.
Scott Gentile highlighted the unique flying experience of the Aerostar, stating, “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 this ‘feel’. It will also allow you to hone your skills as a pilot in completely new ways.“
Looking Ahead
Scott Gentile concluded his announcement with an exciting prospect for the community: “We hope to bring you the first Accu-Sim twin later in 2024!” This marks a significant 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 a highlight of FSExpo. Will we see A2A preview the Aerostar 600 this year? It’s unlikely as it’s seemingly still a few months away from completion, but we can only hope. Still, this announcement sets the stage for a revamped new interest in A2A Simulations’ aircraft and simmers can finally get ready to what will certainly be another enthralling aircraft simulation!
