Microsoft Flight Simulator is the longest-running game franchise at Microsoft. Today, we’re excited to announce that renowned sim company Carenado is releasing an incredibly detailed Carenado C170B add-on for use in Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Based in Santiago, Chile, Carenado (Spanish for fairing) was started in 2001 by two friends who were inspired by Microsoft Flight Simulator, a game they began playing together in the 1980s on Atari computers. They have now built a powerful portfolio of more than 100 stunningly-recreated aircraft – the legendary C170B is the latest in the lineup.
Carenado wanted to create a sim version of the C170B to thrive in the beautiful world that Microsoft and its partners have built in the latest iteration of Microsoft Flight Simulator. The C170B, known affectionately in aviation circles as “The Skyhawk’s Daddy,” is a renowned “low and slow” flightseeing airplane, and Carenado felt it would be a perfect means for exploring the virtual world of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
The four-seat, single-engine taildragger, introduced in 1952, was developed from earlier versions of the 170 family, including the 170A and the military variant, the L-19/O-1 Bird Dog. It was the predecessor to the 172 Skyhawk, hence its nickname. The aircraft quickly became known for its wide utility, serving the needs of private pilots, commuters, cargo haulers, flight schools, and bush pilots who have taken the aircraft on some truly remarkable adventures in some of the planet’s wildest lands.
The 170B features all-metal construction, a high main wingspan of 36 feet, and slotted flaps that deflect up to 40 degrees. It is powered by a six-cylinder Continental C145-2 engine that delivers up to 145 horsepower and turns a two-blade propeller. The 170B cruises at 120 miles per hour, has a top speed of 143 mph, and a stall speed of 52 mph. Its ceiling is 15,500 feet above sea level and climbs at 690 feet per minute. Impressively, it needs only 200 feet of roll to get into the air, in most situations, and has a range of 750 miles.
Carenado offers two types of the 170B, a regular and a tundra model. The tundra model features large tundra tires and can take off and land on beaches, river sand bars, deep in mountain valleys — anywhere suitable, no airport required! The company uses physically based rendering (PBR) for maximum realism, inside and out, realistic flight dynamics (tested by a number of pilots familiar with the C170B), and high-fidelity stereo acoustics recorded from the airplane itself, including sounds of switches, the engine, buttons, even the rush of air when opening a window.
It comes with six liveries, a portable Garmin Aera GPS color moving map unit, King KX-165 NAV/COMM radio with glideslope, and a King KT-76A Transponder. Simmers can experience Carenado’s C170B beginning in the cold, dark, ready to taxi, or ready for takeoff. It even features a tablet interface for controlling static elements, pilots, fairings, and doors.
The Carenado C170B is available today on the Microsoft Flight Simulator marketplace. The sky is calling! For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, stay tuned to @MSFSOfficial on Twitter and Xbox Wire.
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Microsoft Flight Simulator is the next generation of one of the most beloved simulation franchises. From light planes to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and stunning aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere on the planet. Enjoy flying day or night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions.