Today multiple add-on aircraft have been released for Microsoft Flight Simulator, while another is coming soon.
We start with SimWorks Studios, which has released its rendition of the Van’s Aircraft RV-14.
It’s currently available for €14.99 on the developer’s own store with the following features:
- Accurate 3D model & animations
- Three generic and three custom liveries
- Taildragger and tricycle variants
- Realistic flight model tested by RV-14 pilots
- Free-castering nose wheel (RV-14A)
- Full GTN750 integration (PMS50 and TDS)
- Flutter animations from propwash
- Weight-based visibility of copilot in the cockpit
- Weight-based visibility of baggage behind the seats
- Opening canopy
- Functional canopy ejection switch
- Animated air conditioning vents
- Realistic backlighting and floodlighting
- Realistic exterior lighting
- MSFS rain & icing effects included
Next comes Nemeth Design, which released an SIAI-Marchetti S.205-18/R.
You can find it at the developer’s own store for $19.49
- Detailed and accurate visual model
- Detailed 4K textures
- Realistic flight dynamics based on real-world data
- Realistic aircraft operation based on real-world piloting and maintenance manuals
- 12 liveries
- 3D high definition soundpack
- PDF manual
We also hear from IndiaFoxtEcho, which mentioned that its Sukhoi Su-31 is ready for release, also posting a cautionary note and revealing the pricing, which will be approximately €17.5.
The developer also confirmed that the aircraft should be released on Xbox down the line.
“We are sorry but we were not able to release the SU-31 during the weekend as we planned, as there were a couple of last-minute tweaks we had to test and there were some errors in the manual.
On the good side, last night we managed to fix pretty much everything…and the plane is ready for release: we just need to do the bureaucratic stuff for file submission with the different vendors (every vendor requires slightly different things) but we expect the plane to be available in the next few days from all of our usual outlets… except Microsoft, which – as usual – will have a slightly longer lead time.
Pending Microsoft testing, the plane should also be available on Xbox.
Contrary to the commercial logic, we’d like to talk about a bit of the defects of this project – or, in marketing jargon, “opportunities for further improvement”:
While we think the plane is fun to fly, and you should be able to pull most aerobatic maneuvres, the flick/snap roll behavior is not great and it is difficult to control it precisely. Also, the simulator seems to overestimate the energy loss during vertical maneuvres, so we “pumped” the engine and prop performance a little to have achieve speeds closer to the real aircraft during some maneuvers.
Also, since the avionics are super-basic (just a radio and a transponder), this is probably not your best pick for long-cross country flights or any kind of complex navigation.
Speaking of scenery, Aerosoft clarified that its VDGS (Visual Docking Guidance System) software will be a free release for PC and will initially cover four of the developer’s airports, including the upcoming Brussels (EBBR). It will work on all the PC versions of the airports, including those purchased on the official marketplace.
The airport itself has also been confirmed to be coming for both PC and Xbox, but VDGS won’t be available on Xbox.
Last, and definitely least, we get a release from Captain Sim, which I won’t hesitate to define as “weird.”
The developer launched a “C-130 Exterior” and as the name implies, it only includes the exterior of the aircraft, with absolutely no flight deck. Basically, you would be forced to fly it with the stock hud, which greatly reduces any simulation value it may have.
It also comes with stock sounds from the simulator, which is certainly puzzling.
If that doesn’t deter you, it’s available on the developer’s own store for $14.99.
EXTERIOR
• Highly detailed and accurate digital replica of the C-130E Hercules
• Cockpit and cabin with 3D windows and pilots
• Realistic animations
• 4K Ultra-High resolution textures of the following 6 liveries:
– USAF #640544
– USAF #637777 (bare metal)
– Australian Air Force #A97181
– Canadian Air Force #130307
– UK Air Force #ZH887
– Brazilian Air Force #2459
COCKPIT AND CABIN
• No virtual cockpit, exterior model only
• Stock MSFS2020 functionality including HUD instruments
• Complete cargo cabin with animated doors
• Custom views
MISC FEATURES
• Custom flight model
• Stock MSFS2020 sounds
• Repaint kit
• Sim Ops
If you’d like to read more about Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons, you can enjoy our recent reviews of Kansai International Airport, Toronto Pearson Airport, the Twin Otter, Auckland International Airport, Skiathos Airport, Athens International Airport, Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, Amami Airport, Bristol Airport, Marrakech Menara Airport, Great Britain Central, Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport, Kraków Airport, Fukuoka City & Airport, Fort Lauderdale Airport, Chongqing City & Airport, Manila Airport, Santiago Airport, the Frankfurt City Pack, Key West Airport, the Okavango Delta, Bali Airport, London Oxford Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the CRJ 550/700, the PA-28R Arrow III, Kristiansand Airport, Macau City & Airport, Bonaire Flamingo Airport, Milano Linate Airport, the Singapore City Pack, Tokyo Narita Airport, Yao Airport, the F-15 Eagle, the Paris City Pack, Greater Moncton Airport, Tweed New Haven Airport, Santorini Airport, Sydney Airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Reggio Calabria Airport, Bastia Poretta Airport, Munich Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Newcastle International Airport, Sankt Johann Airfield, Dublin International Airport, and Seoul City Wow. We also have a beta preview of Singapore Changi airport.
If you want to learn more about the game itself, you can read our review which will tell you everything you need to know about Asobo Studio’s game.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is already available for Windows 10 and Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.
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