SimWorks Studios took to their Discord server recently to post a couple of new dev updates on their numerous product lines for Microsoft Flight Simulator. Updates were shared on the PC-12, the Kodiak 100, and their latest upcoming product, their rendition of the GippsAero GA8 Airvan.
The New Kid: GA8 Airvan
SWS has been working on a rendition of the GippsAero GA8 Airvan for Microsoft Flight Simulator. As things stand, the aircraft is very close to having a release candidate version for final beta testing. Failures will be made available as a separate but paid module and the aircraft has been developed to the standards of MSFS2024. Pricing and upgrade schedules for the product will be announced soon.
The GA8 Airvan will feature a highly detailed exterior model, visual wear and tear that will build up over time, tires that deform, a highly detailed analog cockpit with instrument vibrations, cargo and passenger interiors, and an accurate flight model verified by real-world GA8 pilots.
The failures module also includes many custom implementations. Key highlights include engine component wear such as that of spark plugs, propeller shafts, the propeller itself, etc., custom oil system simulation that accounts for oil quantity, thermal expansion and contraction, and oil pump and filter; tire and brake wear, and electrical system failures of the generators, battery aging, and other electrical component wear.
About the GA8 Airvan
The GippsAero GA8 Airvan is a single-engined utility aircraft manufactured by GippsAero (formerly Gippsland Aeronautics) from Victoria, Australia. It is an eight-seater aircraft designed for use in remote areas and from austere airstrips, performing various tasks such as passenger services, freight, sightseeing, parachuting, observation, and more. It first flew in 1995 and since then has been operated by a diverse range of companies worldwide. The GA8 is powered by a Lycoming IO-540 piston engine and can operate from 1000-foot airstrips under average conditions. As of July 2019, 228 aircraft are currently in service.
Other SWS Updates
Just last week, SWS also released a major 1.5.4 update for their rendition of the Kodiak 100 aircraft for MSFS. Furthermore, this is the last major, feature-packed update for MSFS2020, as the focus now shifts to fully porting the aircraft over MSFS2024. The MSFS2020 version will get bug fixes and stability updates as necessary.
The latest update includes an authentic Engine Indicating System that contains all three pages: Engine, Fuel, and Systems. It also comes up with a fully integrated checklist that can be accessed via the MFD. The engine has also received a significant rework, tech from the PC-12 has been implemented allowing for a better simulation. The plane now features ITT simulation matching the real-world plane closely. The real-world Kodiak’s power lever is mechanically limited and has now been implemented in the rendition. You can no longer firewall the PCL, as the engine will restrict the motion based on certain parameters.
The developer is also overhauling its website and they expect to have it complete in around 3 months’ time. The team is also making significant updates to its customer support area and will soon include a searchable knowledge-base document, an AI chatbot, and a support ticketing system to get in touch with one of the team members directly. Their installer will also get an update to better streamline downloads and do so securely.
Overall, a very meaty and fun update from the team over at SimWorks Studios with lots of new overhauls, fixes, and improvements, not to mention their latest product, the GA8 Airvan. Unfortunately, the pricing and release schedule for the Airvan are not known at the time of writing, but any new information will be promptly covered by us. The latest Kodiak 100 update, however, is available and can installed via their installer or any third-party vendors you may have purchased from.
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