Feeling like flying a single-engine, advanced turbo prop trainer with aerobatic capabilities? IRIS Simulations PC-21 might just be the thing you’re looking for as the developer has just released their PC-21 for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Licensed simulation
IRIS Simulations have just taken the wrapper off their PC-21 military trainer turboprop for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Designed by Pilatus aircraft of Switzerland, the aerobatic trainer is, in real life, capable of -4g and +8g and is powered by a 1,600 horsepower Pratt & Whitney Canada turboprop pulling the plane through to 370 knot maximum top speed.
Pilatus and IRIS have formed a partnership over this and their PC-24 project. Prior to release, IRIS went to Pilatus to get the project approved for what that’s worth.
Most of the marketing materials is focused on the type’s aerobatics capability but it also has a customized glass cockpit featuring three MFD’s in a military style of configuration. From what I’ve seen of it, the displays appear to be authentic or reasonably authentic to the real thing. There’s also a customized HUD which works in both front and rear cockpit modes – the rear cockpit version functions as a repeater.
The aircraft also has its own aerobatic smoke option which means you can put this aircraft through an aerobatic routine and show off to your friends your precision flying.
One of the videos that IRIS shared in the run up to release was a video by ‘cgaviator’ on YouTUbe who is a real world pilot instructor. It’s a good video and it shows you what an airshow routine might look like from the cockpit.
The IRIS Simulations PC-21 is available for sale via the IRIS Simulations webstore, from Orbx Direct, or through the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace. It’s being sold for $34.99 AUD or approximately $22.44 USD.
Stormbirds 
On a similar note, AoA Sims just released their T-6A Texan II, a very similar aircraft, for X-Plane v11.
I’m sure I’ll end up getting both at some point – just too tempting.
Good times!
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I didn’t see the announcement on that one. I’ll write up an article soon as I can.
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I am really interested in this plane as the Spanish Air Force just adopted it as a trainer aircraft, but I’ve heard that it uses the F-18 HUD in MSFS 2020.
Is that true? How deep is systems-wise?
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It does look like the same or similar HUD. I’ve been trying to find out what the depth is via some of the reviews out there.
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It does Al, but there’s a toggle in the INST to be able to have a customized one for the PC-21. Systems are phenomenal, could be on par with the T-1A Hawk roughly. Flies well, sounds and looks great – good price on Orbx now, I’d say just go for it if you’ve got the cash!
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Thanks man! Sounds great! I’m buying it.
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Awesome to hear!
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That’s a fine looking plane and quite agile it seems.
Interesting comments cgaviator (he has a great channel with plenty of aerobatic-related content btw) makes about the rudder authority and the stall turn behaviour. I’ve found some in the handful of 3rd party and built-in planes I’ve tried to range between extremes; some have rudders that always bite 100% even in totally unexpected situations, others are wishy washy like he shows in the PC21 video. Of course having no real life reference I’ve no idea how it should be for a given plane. In this instance, as in other videos with aerobatic routines he has posted, he’s laying the fault with something in the physics engine; I wonder how much that holds true and if the recent CFD-related update helps do away with any of that for planes that make use of it.
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I’m hesitant to buy any more planes for MSFS but this looks pretty sweet. That cockpit looks very well done and that’s always the final selling point for me.
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