A2A Simulations has confirmed in a forum post that the Ted Smith/Piper Aerostar 600 will be coming to Microsoft Flight Simulator. The Aerostar 600 will feature the same Accu-Sim 2.0 technology that made their Comanche 250 successful, now applied to a piston twin. In the post, A2A Simulations stated that the goal was to bring the Aerostar 600 to MSFS later in 2024.
The A2A Simulations Aerostar 600 was originally intended to be the first aircraft the company released for Microsoft Flight Simulator, according to a blog post by A2A in July 2020. A2A owns an Aerostar 600 that was to be used as the primary reference for the project. However, after an in-flight emergency necessitated a gear-up landing in that aircraft in 2021, the Aerostar project was put on hold in favor of the A2A Comanche 250, an add-on launched last year to rave reviews.
After perfecting the Accu-Sim 2.0 engine with the Comanche release, A2A Simulations has now revived the Aerostar 600 project for a release in 2024. “A piston twin like the Aerostar feels radically different to fly compared to the Comanche,” stated Lewis on the A2A forum, “and our physics engine does a great job of recreating this ‘feel’.” The Accu-Sim 2.0 technology promises enhanced realism in all areas of operation.
The Piper Aerostar (Formerly the Ted Smith Aerostar, before the Ted Smith Aircraft company was acquired in 1978 by Piper Aircraft Corp.) is a mid-wing light twin with two Lycoming IO-540-K engines. During its production run, it held the title of the World’s Fastest Piston Twin at cruise speeds of up to 261kts. Sleek, performant, and luxurious, the Aerostar was produced until 1984 under Piper as the PA-60 before the type certificate and manufacturing documentation were sold to the Aerostar Aircraft Corporation. This new company provides ongoing support and development to this day – even converting the design into a twin-fan jet aircraft.
A2A has not yet confirmed a release date for the Aerostar 600 for MSFS. A2A will be attending FSExpo 2024; however, no announcements from the company are on the schedule. While you wait for the Aerostar to release, read why the A2A Comanche 250 received the 2023 FSNews Editors’ Choice Award.
