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 excellent Comanche 250, but that doubt seems to have now been put to rest with an understated announcement from Scott Gentile, owner of A2A Simulations, in a statement shared via email from FSExpo. , highlighting some of the event’s key supporters.
Scott Gentile expressed his gratitude to Microsoft and the flight simulator community for the success of their Comanche 250, the first aircraft built using 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 use the same physics to develop the 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 A2A’s efforts to bring it to the flight simulator community. Scott Gentile, who has 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 aircraft that I’ve owned and operated for several years, and it’s our passion at A2A to really bring that aircraft ownership experience to life,” added Gentile.
However, the development of the Aerostar 600 for the MSFS faced significant challenges. The project hit a major setback when Scott Gentile’s personal Aerostar, which was being used as a reference model for the simulation, was damaged in an emergency landing. On New Year’s Eve, Scott and his son Jack were forced to land the plane without the left landing gear extended, 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 development of the virtual Aerostar 600. Below, watch an early video recorded by the team in the real Aerostar 600 they are modeling for the sim, registration N122PC, which shows some of the oddities of this particular aircraft that simmers will likely have to deal with in the upcoming release for MSFS.
We are building on the success of the Comanche 250
The Comanche 250 has set a new standard for flight simulation with Accu-Sim 2.0 technology that delivers an unrivaled 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 flying 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 experience available to simmers. The transition from single-engine to twin-engine aircraft brings new challenges and learning opportunities, increasing the depth and realism of the simulation.
Scott Gentile highlighted the unique experience of flying the Aerostar, stating, “A piston twin like the Aerostar is 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 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 the highlight of FSExpo. Will we see an A2A preview of the Aerostar 600 this year? It’s unlikely since 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 enthusiasts can finally get ready for what is sure to be another fascinating aircraft simulation!
