Microsoft are continuing their first party aircraft developer streams and this second stream with GotFriends, Miltech, and Hype Performance Group has me excited about aircraft that I was already interested in and a few that weren’t really high on my radar. There are a huge list of cool features and functionality in these “default” aircraft that are anything but ordinary. Let’s have a look!

Another in-depth look at new aircraft

We’ve got our second first party developer stream now available with just over an hour of show and tell from GotFriends, Miltech Simulations and Hype Performance Group. The three teams showcased their aircraft that are being included in the new sim and they all managed to impress showing off the depth and details that these new aircraft have. Default aircraft have earned a reputation for being rather basic in the past but this time around Microsoft’s engagement with third party teams is helping bring a lot more depth.

Got Friends

GotFriends were there to show off the AeroElvira Optica, Stemme S12G, Pipistrel Taurus M, Draco X, and Zlin Norden.

The Optica is a rebuild of an earlier version that the team did while the Stemme S12G and Pipistrel Taurus M are motor gliders with the ability to self launch and propel themselves. The solar panel based recharge system is modeled as are several shared avionics developed for these aircraft. Meanwhile we also have the bushplanes with the Draco X being based on a Wilga but with some absolutely wild modifications. The Draco X and Norden both have the ability to get dirty with layers of dirt building up. They also have features like wear and tear, vibrating components, simulated electrics and control surfaces will even vibrate from prop wash and ground turbulence.

GotFriends shared some great screenshots after the stream on their Facebook page.

Miltech Simulations

I was really looking to learn more about the C-17 and Miltech delivered with this stream. This heavy lift transport aircraft has four engines, short landing capability, and the ability to hold impressive loads in its cargo hold. Miltech say that they’ve added 7 cargo loads that include presidential vehicles, a Chinook helicopter, armoured vehicles, and more. The cargo area is fully modeled as is the lavatory, galley and crew rest area. The loadmaster station is interactive.

Miltech talked about the limitations of modeling an active duty military aircraft reporting that some systems like the MFDs are essentially true to life using available documentation while other systems like the mission planner are inferred based on information that is declassified as well as using civilian equivalents. They report the aircraft is fully IFR capable and everything that is available in public domain is on the aircraft.

The C-17 is part of the career mode and can be used in remote cargo operations. Cool!

Images have been released previously by Miltech on their Facebook.

Hype Performance Group

The third group was Hype Performance Group who have done the H135, H145, and H160 helicopters for Microsoft Flight Simulator as well as being a group that pioneered their own mission activity system. They are now offering a new aircraft in MSFS with the H225 (formerly the Eurocopter EC225 Super Puma).

HPG were able to gain access to a real H225 scanning the aircraft and capturing sound from the real world. They have search and rescue and civilian variants for use in various activities including passenger, VIP, and search and rescue.

This helicopter has an FMS, four multi-function displays, four axis AP, plus lots of modifications including a functional hoist.

More fantastic images from Hype Performance Group‘s Facebook below.