A2A COMANCHE: The Pinnacle of GA Flight Simulation

By Spencer Doyle

During the product announcement seminars at the FlightSim Expo in Houston, we were treated to an impressive preview of A2A Simulations’ upcoming Piper Comanche 250. Twitch & YouTube content creator, twotonemurphy, previewed A2A’s first MSFS offering while interviewing A2A CEO Scott Gentile. A2A Simulations is no stranger to the flight simulation community, renowned for their Accu-Sim technology and highly realistic flight models. Scott owns the exact model that A2A has created here, giving them a level of access rarely seen in flight simulation. A2A took three years to develop and refine the next generation of the Accu-Sim platform, referred to as Accu-Sim 2.0, which is a physics and aerodynamics engine on which their flight models depend. That time appears to have been well spent.

The A2A Comanche was released on July 20th to universal praise. Within the cockpit of the Comanche, a tablet allows you to configure your Comanche according to your needs. With the option to configure differently by livery, you can set up several Comanches with distinct configurations. You can opt for a radio stack instead of GPS, choose the Garmin 430, 530, or both together, or even the Garmin GTN750. You can also swap out wing-tip tanks, change the prop, and add various aerodynamic options such as wing roof fairings and stabilator tips. These changes aren’t just cosmetic; they all serve a function. For instance, changing the prop leads to reduced cabin vibration, while adding wing tips alters maneuvering speed. Even using the wrong grade of oil can have consequences. Soundproofing reduces noise, and you can adjust wear and failure rates in the tablet. Since the Comanche is persistent, it remains as you left it when reloading.

Within the tablet, you can even monitor your passengers’ comfort, adjusting cabin heat and vents as needed. The Comanche also boasts a fully interactive walkaround feature. You can check lighting, flaps, ailerons, fuel contaminants, oil levels, and even the color of the oil. This feature immerses you in the pre-flight experience. Moreover, the tablet offers the ability to “buy” different used planes. You can do this through the Maintenance tab, choosing “New,” “Used,” or “Auction” for your current plane. This allows you to troubleshoot issues with newly purchased used planes, enhancing your diagnostic skills over time.

The Comanche’s full per-cylinder physics-based engine simulation is visualized through the Maintenance tab’s Engine Analyzer. This invaluable learning tool lets you monitor pistons, fuel mixture, spark plugs, carburetor icing, and more. This realism demands attention during run-up, ensuring you address issues like fouled spark plugs.

The A2A Comanche’s flight model is unparalleled in the GA simulation space. From takeoff to landing, the plane responds exactly as expected, making it a joy to hand-fly. The S-Tec System 30 autopilot reduces

pilot workload when necessary. The sounds are equally impressive, mimicking real-life experiences. The included headphones and noise-canceling function help tailor sound levels to your liking.

In conclusion, the A2A Comanche is a simulation experience deserving of its praise. It has transformed how I approach flight simulation across all aircraft. The Comanche instills good habits by linking actions to consequences, visualized on the tablet and model. It has made me more diligent in my pre-flight checks, improved my understanding of various conditions, and enriched my overall flight experience. Most importantly, flying the Comanche is not only fun but also educational.