KwikFlight, which previously released the Bone and the Spirit for MSFS, has announced the Hunter as its latest aircraft for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. The Hunter has been designed to offer simmers a level of immersion that hasn’t been seen before in the simulator.
KwikFlight’s Hunter for MSFS
The Hunter has been designed to cater to every simmer, no matter what level of flying you are at. It offers instant fun but long-term mastery. KiwkFlight has custom-built all the avionics and systems found in the Hunter. The autopilot, displays, electrical systems, and more have been built from the ground up to offer the most enjoyable experience to all.
It features custom dimmable cockpit floodlighting with the ability to switch between white and red strobe navigation lights. Its auto tank transfer system keeps the helicopter balanced, while manual tank balancing allows simmers to take control in the event of any failures. It has been designed so that you won’t need to know the ins and outs of the systems to fly.
Flight control stability is important for flying helicopters, and KiwkFlight has built a system to provide pitch stability and a hover mode. There is also damage modelling for both the avionics and engines during missions. A full communications suite has been included and can also interact with the built-in missions. Simulated IDM (Improved Data Modem) has also been added for mission management.
Exclusive to the iniBuilds Store, an advanced weapons and combat system has been custom-built into the aircraft. The system delivers seamless combat experiences in MSFS, which is not natively supported. On the MFD (Multi-Function Display), you can cycle between “GUN”, “MISSILE” and “ROCKET” modes. Each weapon type also comes with its own effects and mechanics.
KiwkFlight has also built a fully integrated IHADSS (Integrated Helmet and Display Sight System) into the Hunter. This system brings you situational awareness straight from your helmet and mirrors the real-world experience of modern attack helicopters. It gives you the essential combat and flight data straight into your field of view so you can focus on the mission ahead.
Hunter Mission System
KwikFlight wanted to bring something to MSFS that was more than just fun to fly, but functional with a purpose. Alongside the aircraft, the team has built a detailed combat system for the Hunter. It brings a custom-built “Immersive Mission Manager” system where you can randomise a mission to spawn between 1-8 targets. It will spawn them around 25 km away from your current position. These targets could range from tanks or boats if you’re near water. But don’t get too close, or you will start to take damage.
Damage taken will be noticeable visually, but will also start to affect your systems if you get hit enough. Once you have taken out any targets, you can head back to the FARP (Forward Arming and Refuelling Point) to be refuelled and repaired. Once you’re rearmed, you can get back in the air to take out more targets. The Mission Manager and weaponry will not be available on the in-game marketplace due to Microsoft’s criteria and rules against working weapons.
KwikFlight Partnership with Echo 19 and Visual Effects
KwikFlight has partnered with Echo 19 for this release to bring the most immersive and authentic sounds to the add-on. Echo 19 was given access to an AH-64, the Hunter’s real-life counterpart, from the Utah Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment. They recorded every sound from the rudder pedals to the aircraft in flight. A special livery has been created as a thank you to the regiment, made in honour of the unit’s nickname, the “Air Pirates”.
Visual effects bring the Hunter to life with detailed damage effects and dynamic reactions to different combat scenarios. If the aircraft takes any damage during a mission, smoke will be seen from the engines while the airframe will degrade over time. These effects won’t be cosmetic, as they will affect your mission and ability to fly. It will also kick up thick dust clouds, dirt, and water spray when flying low to the ground or over water.
The KiwkFlight Hunter is coming soon to both the MSFS Marketplace and the iniBuilds Store. No release date has been provided yet by the developers. You can read more about KiwkFlight’s previous releases here on FSNews.
Feel free to join our Discord server to share your feedback on the article, screenshots from your flights or just chat with the rest of the team and the community. Click here to join the server.
