The Antonov company has teamed up with Microsoft and iniBuids to recreate the world's largest plane for Microsoft Flight Simulator. The only completed Antonov An-225 was destroyed almost a year ago in the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Microsoft's Flight Simulator series has always been a hit with the aviation community. From avgeeks to pilots, the software allows everybody to express their passion for aviation. The latest edition of the franchise was released in 2020 and included a number of popular planes as standard, including the Airbus A320neo and the Boeing 747-8. Earlier this week, the last Queen of the Skies was delivered, but now something a little larger is due to join the simulator.
The An-225 will fly again
Yesterday, Antonov Airlines revealed that it had signed an agreement with Microsoft to bring the Antonov An-225 to Microsoft Flight Simulator, and it seems that it could also be for a good cause. The aircraft would be sold for roughly $20. As things currently stand, any profits from the sale of the downloadable content would be sent to Ukraine to fund a project to rebuild the destroyed An-225.
Coming soon
In a Facebook post published in Ukrainian, the Antonov Company revealed that the virtual aircraft will become available to download on February 27th. According to Microsoft, the aircraft will come to Xbox at a later date as part of "Update 12". This date will mark a year since the physical version of the jet was destroyed at Hostomel Airport by Russian forces.
According to the company the aircraft's chief pilot, Dmitry Antonov, has flown the aircraft in the simulator. He commented,
"Today I am happy to welcome you aboard the world's largest transport plane An-225 "Mriya" in the Microsoft Flight Simulator game! We are so grateful to everyone who is helping us in the recovery of this glorious giant. I sincerely wish you to enjoy the beautiful, unique feeling of flight, when it is in your hands that comes alive a mighty, unsurpassed bird, which feels so beautiful, light and graceful in the sky!"
During an update from the game's developers, the aircraft was shown off alongside comments from Captain Antonov and an aircraft walkaround from one of its developers (the entire An-225 segment is around 23 minutes long),
About the An-225
Before its destruction, the An-225 was the world's largest aircraft, instantly recognizable due to the six engines hanging from its high wing. The aircraft was frequently employed to carry the largest cargos that would be impossible for other jets.
The aircraft set 124 world records during its lifetime. While a number of these involved the heaviest and largest cargoes, the aircraft also set the record for the highest-ever art exhibition at 33,300 feet in 2021.
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Sources: Antonov Airlines, Microsoft