Aerostar?

[FlyingKiwi]

Quick question - most of my favourite GA aeroplanes have thankfully had a good quality rendition in FSX at some point or another (ok, no Slingsby Firefly but I'm not holding out hope for that one...), but one which has not, as far as I'm aware, is the Ted Smith/Piper Aerostar. I'm not aware of any available for FSX, does anyone know if anyone has plans to develop one? A beautiful design which still has a big following around the world, I'm sure there'd be a market for it! (if any developers are reading this... )

[cowpatz]

I think from memory the FS9 FSD Aerostar 700 works ok in FSX....not in P3D though.
From your FS9 installation copy the FSD aircraft file from FS9 to FSX Simobjects/aircraft and all the FSD gauges from FS9/gauges to FSX/gauges and then the FSD sound folder from FS9/sounds to FSX /sounds.

[Naki]

A2A have bought a 1969 Aerostar 600.... since they have already have made a model of the Comanche which they also own it's only natural they make an Aerostar... heres hoping!

[Naki]

Here's some info at the A2A forums

http://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=46101

[cowpatz]

Just great. Thanks for that Naki. I can now feel my credit card jiggling about in my pocket and waiting to get out as I post.
Bugger I love that aeroplane. One of the sexiest GA twins ever produced and one with which I have a few hours in the log book.
The electric fuel crossfeed valves (yes I know electric......) make the most wonderful whooping noise, when activated, that you could just play around with them all day long.
Might be my first A2A purchase.
The hangar is getting full and the spiders are hard at work............Rather than have a stupid and expensive referendum on a new flag could we have one to make a day say 36 hours long rather than 24?
It's got my vote.

[FlyingKiwi]

Oh now that is very good news indeed, an A2A Aerostar would be a dream come true! Cheers!

[Naki]

Apparently there is a Seminole & T-6 Texan before any possible Aerostar though but a Aerostar would have to be one of my favourite GA aircraft as well.....along with the Mooney 201, 231 etc (Comanche is great substitute though).

To whet the appetite, here's a pic I took of a local Aerostar a couple of years ago at Ardmore...

[Ian Warren]

Unique having a mid wing , must be solid machined forgings for the wing box ?

[FlyingKiwi]

I have to negotiate around -MVY very carefully every time I get our Partenavia out of its hangar. Would be nice to trade rides.

[Ian Warren]

Would be nice to trade rides.

And if you manage to do pop down here and take us for a spin, sure be able to get Rob , Marty and Greg in on the ride ... course a stop at NZFF to meet 'John of the Kiwis'

Edit: you may have into North Shore , Owen has a Wolf he want's to bring down

[Naki]

Only took ten years!...wow time flies ...can't believe I've been waiting patiently (and sometimes not) for that long...just as well I have msfs 2024...

https://fselite.net/content/a2a-simulat ... -aerostar/

[cowpatz]

Very disappointed that this is only for MSFS2024. I’ve been waiting for this for ages. MSFS 2024 is not ready for me yet
I’m guessing that this is modelled off A2A’s own Aerostar that they own. One thing in particular that interests me is that the aircraft has no ventral fins on the lower aft fuselage. From my few hours experience of flying one, we had to land it flawless until the AD was actioned. This was due to lack of rudder authority in the event of an engine failure. My very first solo landing in one was on to runway 25 at Ardmore and only the runway lights working were in the middle. This effectively meant that only half the runway was lit. It was a moonless night as well which didn’t help.
I think the 700 series had contra rotating props which helped and didn’t require the ventral fins.
I hope they reproduce the sound of the fuel cross feed valves operating. They are electrically operated and make a very distinctive whooping noise when operated. I could play with them all day! It is a hot ship but very nice to fly.

[FlyingKiwi]

I'd forgotten about this thread but the Aerostar is still at the top of my list - I've periodically lost hope A2A are ever going to actually release it, but it looks like it's finally happening. My only fear is I won't want to fly anything else once I get my hands on it!

Cowpatz - If it's up to the usual A2A quality you'd like to think it will model all those little details! Incidentally there is a spectacular video on Youtube you may have seen of Jimmy Franklin performing a very energetic aerobatic routine in one back in the '80s.

[cowpatz]

Yes they should do a great job of it, especially as they own one their own Aerostar.
A brave man doing Aerobatics in one……that mid wing………although the wing itself is built solidly. It has a very thick skin and is rigid which makes for a smoother ride in turbulence.

[Naki]

Now..released...will be picking up soon

[FlyingKiwi]

Very interested to hear what it's like, I was still thinking of waiting until it's out of early access but could easily be tempted!

[Naki]

I picked this up yesterday...only had time to do a couple of quick circuits from Tauranga (in terrible weather) and Wanaka. Haven't got into the autopilot etc. Greased in a couple of landings so easier to land than I thought but maybe I fluked it.

Quick summary:
Flight dynamics are great and it feels like what I would of thought an Aerostar would be like
Texturing - modelling not as good or detailed as Carenado but pretty good
Sounds not great at the moment -Needs custom, sounds (supposed to be in the first update)
Aerostar has some unusual ways of operating (i.e flaps and nose wheel steering)
All the usual A2A maintenance options and graphics (engine analyzer etc.) are there which set it apart from the competition (apart from Blacksquare aircraft which I don't have)
Good visibility, especially for a twin

Overall its one of the best GA products (if not the best) in my hangar; especially once final release is out.

Keen to do more longer distant flights this weekend time willing

[FlyingKiwi]

Sounds good! I'm finishing a trip around Ireland and Scotland in the Carenado 182 at the moment so once I finish that might be a good chance to get it. Although that 210 that just came out is tempting too...

[cowpatz]

There is a lot of tempting stuff available both now and coming shortly. It's going to be a tough month or two on the credit card.

[FlyingKiwi]

I now see Black Square have announced an Aero Commander 690, another one of my favourites!