VFlyteair is best known for its variety of GA airplanes for the X-Plane platform… until now. VFlyteair is bringing its aircraft fleet over to Microsoft Flight Simulator, starting with the Piper Twin PA-30.
The Piper Twin PA-30 Comanche is the twin-engine variant of the PA-24 Comanche. It was introduced in 1965 as a four-seater (upgraded to six seats later) and powered by two Lycoming IO-540 engines. It’s well-known for its versatility as it’s historically been used for personal travel, cargo transport, and as a twin-engine trainer. Furthermore, the long-range capability of the aircraft (at around 1,200 NM) made it a great performer for long distances with few refueling stops.
VFlyteair redeveloped this airplane from the ground up in order to have a model that is up-to-par with the visual fidelity that MSFS has to offer. The Twin Comanche features support for the TDSSim GTN750 out of the box and will include a glass panel option in a future upgrade. The realistic flight model has been fine-tuned using input from a real-life owner of a Twin Comanche. Sounds are also faithfully recreated using high-fidelity recordings from a real PA-30. Finally, simulated systems are fully implemented including RPM-dependent generator power, true airspeed based on altitude and OAT, radar altimeter, etc.
Also of note, most of the work was performed by one of VFlyteair’s developers, Igor Kyrylov, located in Kyiv, Ukraine. He worked on the airplane tirelessly while supporting the war effort during the day and making do with limited resources and electricity. The dedication to flight simming by members of our community is outstanding.
If you would like to pick up a copy, you can do so on SimMarket for €29.99 ($33.35 USD or £25.05).
Feature List
Models
- Accurately modeled PA-30 Twin, built using real-world aircraft plans and comprehensive photography of the real aircraft
- Numerous animations including passenger door, baggage door, cockpit storm window, sun visors
- 4096×4096 textures are used to produce the highest possible texture clarity
- PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials with real-time environment reflections for superb quality and realism
- Detailed normal mapping for down-to-the-rivet precision of aircraft surfaces
- Ground services support (marshaller)
- Full support for MSFS visual icing effects
Cockpit
- Developed using the latest MSFS standards, including intuitive and easy-to-use controls for rotary knobs, multi-position switches and levers
- A truly 3D virtual cockpit right down to accurately modeled seat belts and screw heads – every instrument is constructed fully in 3D with smooth animations
- Cockpit textures feature wear and tear based on reference photos taken in the real aircraft to produce an authentic environment
- Dimmable instrument, radio and dome lighting, with separate control circuits
- Simulated electrical systems
- Yoke-mounted flight timer/clock
- Developed using the latest MSFS standards, including intuitive and easy-to-use controls for rotary knobs, multi-position switches and levers
