We’ve been reporting on the progress of Just Flight’s Piper PA-38 Tomahawk for Microsoft Flight Simulator for some time. With the latest development update, it seems the venerable trainer is getting very close to release. In the post on the Tomahawk’s development updates page, Just Flight reveals that the aircraft is feature-complete whilst they are now focusing on testing and bug fixing in the “final stretch” of development.
In the almost two months since the last development update, the team has been focused on fully retexturing the exterior of the Tomahawk. The level of attention dedicated to this process necessitated expanding the team’s attention into remodeling exterior parts and modeling previously missing parts. Panel lines, rivets, and text are in the correct locations and appear crisp with 8K textures, resulting in what Just Flight says is a visually stunning and incredibly accurate rendition of the aircraft.
An updated build of the Tomahawk’s flight model has also been undergoing extensive testing. Just Flight reports that the flight model has received positive feedback from testers and that in-game performance matches the PA-38’s Pilot’s Operating Handbook numbers across various flight conditions, take-off distances, engine performance, and glide performance.
From all indications, the wait for the Tomahawk won’t be much longer. Just Flight says that a release date has been selected, but they aren’t ready to make that date known publicly: “We’re not quite ready to share a release date with you just yet, but you will be pleased to hear that we do have one pencilled in, so that should hopefully give you an indication of how close to release we are on the long-awaited Tomahawk.” While Just Flight remains mum on a release date, it’s clear from the development photos that many flight simmers will be eager to get their hands on the aircraft the moment it comes out.
Expect FSElite to keep you updated as Just Flight’s Tomahawk continues to get closer to release.
