The Got Friends Taylorcraft BC-12D is closing in on a release and as the developer prepares the aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator they are filling in some details on how the aircraft project came to be and how they are making this final MSFS 2020 release a love letter to that sim as they press forward with MSFS 2024 development. Let’s check it out.

Features coming together

Brandon Yaeger from Got Friends has posted a lengthy update on the MSFS forums talking about how the Taylorcraft BC-12D project came together.

The project started when they were working with Heavenbound on the A-32 Vixxen. Students at that school start with the Taylorcraft before going to the A-32 and the classic airplane resonated with the Got Friends team. Additional reference material came from a private member who had a Taylorcraft before unfortunately losing it in a crash – the pilots fortunately survived. Got Friends were then contacted by other Taylorcraft pilots to help fill in some of the gaps. This is very much a community effort and I love it!

Brandon also reports that they have fond memories on the simulator side. Got Friends come together working on MSFS 2020 first and that this final MSFS 2020 project is a love letter to the now venerable sim. The future is calling them but they are putting everything they have into this last aircraft release for that sim.

This is not just another aircraft. It is our final push into the limits of MSFS 2020, built with heart, gratitude, and everything we have learned over the last five years. As we near the end of beta, we are proud to say the Taylorcraft is approaching final. From there, our team will transition fully into MSFS 2024, while preparing to bring her to both simulators as a native release for each platform they support.

The beta test is reportedly at an end as development and testing concludes.

Got Friends are confirming the final featureset for the aircraft. It includes features like a simulated hand-crank propeller physics, custom soundpack for both the A-65 and A-85 engines, four variants (standard, bush, skis and floats), reactive motion physics for control surfaces, doors, engine elements, landing gear, cockpit controls and fun extras like fuzzy dice hanging in the cockpit (Ed note: Yes please!). All of this will be controlled through a new system they are calling Craft Pad. This clipboard/notebook style system will enable the 65+ customizable options allowing you to change the configuration of your Taylorcraft BC-12D.

Pricing and availability

Taylorcraft BC-12D will be available for both MSFS 2020 and 2024 with pricing coming in at $24.99 USD for both PC and Xbox the developer confirms. It will be available through the Got Friends website, Contrail, and the in-game marketplace.

Read the full report and the full story here!