The folks at SimWorks Studios have provided a recent developer update focused on their upcoming MSFS 2020 release – the GA-8 Airvan. It’s the last aircraft that the developer anticipates releasing prior to the launch of MSFS 2024. Let’s have a look at what they have planned for this airplane and a few other aircraft.

Airvan progress

SimWorks Studios reports that their rendition of the GA-8 Airvan, a piston engined utility aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia, is nearly complete. The aircraft looks to be breaking some new ground for the developers bringing in inspiration from other developers (GotFriends and WBSim get special mention).

Though I was mistaken about a dynamic dirt layer on the Kodiak 100 in my last update on the company (graciously corrected by the folks at SWS), the Airvan is getting such a feature.

The aircraft will get dirty over time and that will be visible as a gradually increasing dirt layer. This doesn’t just apply to taxing, but also when flying close to the ground; suspended particles will stick to the aircraft when flying low or even when parked! Wind speed will pick up dirt and accelerate the process, but wet terrain will raise less dust. These changes happen over tens of hours and will persist.

Flying through rain will apparently clean off the aircraft which is a cool feature too. The aircraft will also show signs of wear in other areas such as the propeller showing more scratching flying in denser air and at lower altitudes. Nose down landings will result in a prop strike causing the engine to fail. You’ll also be able to blow a tire and tires will bulge under increased weight.

SWS are implementing new types of cargo (not just boxes) on the cargo version. Meanwhile the passenger version will apparently not have passengers at launch. The company is looking for feedback on if they should integrate their own passengers or use the new passenger models with MSFS 2024 when that arrives.

Other imminent updates

SimWorks is also working on other items. Fixing misnamed Garmin buttons on the RV-10 and RV-14, improve yaw stability on the PC-12, add a tablet to the same aircraft, complete and release the new Kodiak 100 update and future proof that model for MSFS 2024.

Meanwhile the team are looking into the SDK for MSFS 2024 and once they have that they will be assessing their plans for the Kodiak 900. Will it release to both sims or just 2024? They are uncertain what work needs to be done to make that happen and are sensibly holding off on a decision until they know more.

Stay tuned for more from the company on their Facebook page!