Earlier this week, Synaptic Simulations, a small team of young developers only a few years out of high school, launched their first product on the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace: the A220 Airliner. This is one of the newest and most modern jet airliners operating in the world today, and its release in Microsoft Flight Simulator has been hotly anticipated by aviation enthusiasts.
Synaptic Simulations is a wonderful story of a group of young enthusiasts with a ton of talent and passion following their dreams. It’s a Cinderella story of a team emerging from the freeware scene and making an astonishingly complex airliner as their very first professional release. Warmest congratulations to Synaptic Simulations and iniBuilds on their launch, and we wish them great success with the A220.
We recently caught up with the Synaptic team to learn more about the people behind this exciting new add-on product and the process of turning it from an idea to reality.
What are your names, and what are each of your roles on the A220 project?
Harsh Duba: Synaptic’s team consists of eight developers working across systems and avionics programming, 3D art, and creative production. The project is led by me, as Synaptic’s CEO and art manager; Shaye, lead systems programmer; and Mike, lead avionics programmer. Together, we oversee the broader team and ensure every aspect of the A220 comes together as one cohesive aircraft.
How long have you known each other? How did you meet?
Michael Romashov: Most of us have known each other since around 2020 or 2021, when we independently joined what was then a community-led freeware A220 initiative. The project initially attracted contributors from across the flight-simulation community through Discord and Reddit. Over time, a smaller core group naturally formed as we identified the people with the commitment and complementary expertise needed to take the aircraft further. That core group ultimately became the Synaptic team working on the A220 today.
Before you became add-on developers, what were your career plans?
Shaye Garg: Before the A220, none of our career plans were completely set in stone. Most of the team were only 16 or 17 and fresh out of high school when the project began. Like many people in the flight simulation community, we grew up with Microsoft Flight Simulator, which sparked our interest in aviation, technology and creating things of our own. That passion ultimately inspired us to start building add-ons. Since then, we’ve pursued degrees in engineering and computer science and gone on to work across the software industry. In many ways, developing the A220 helped shape those paths, with the technical, creative and collaborative skills we gained through the project carrying directly into our education and professional careers.
Creating a modern airliner as a first development project seems like an incredibly daunting task. What inspired you to bring the A220 to Microsoft Flight Simulator rather than starting with a less complex aircraft?
Harsh Duba: We saw a clear gap in the flight simulation world. Many of today’s most popular airliners were already well represented, but the A220 was still a very new and modern aircraft at the time and had no serious high-fidelity simulation in development.
We also wanted to create something that felt genuinely unique and gave flight simmers a different experience from the familiar aircraft already available. Starting with such a sophisticated airliner was undeniably ambitious, but our passion for the A220 made us willing to learn as we went. What began as an attempt to fill that gap gradually became a long-term commitment to recreating the aircraft with the depth and accuracy it deserves.
When and how did you partner with one of the largest creators in flight simulation — iniBuilds? What are iniBuilds contributing to the project?
Harsh Duba: The partnership came about through a colleague, who had been working with iniBuilds in a freelance capacity. Having seen first-hand how iniBuilds operate, he felt it was the right home for the A220.
We had long admired iniBuilds’ work and reputation for delivering high-quality aircraft, so it quickly became clear they were the ideal partner to help bring the A220 from a passionate community project to a formalized product.
iniBuilds has provided the structure, production environment and resources needed to take the project to the next level. Beyond publishing support, the team has been responsible for the majority of the texturing artwork, full passenger cabin, liveries, animations and numerous refinements throughout the flight deck. They produced the custom sound package and developed a bespoke Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), helping deliver a more polished and accessible experience for simmers.
Are there any unique features of the A220 that you’re particularly excited about?
Michael Romashov: There are many unique aspects of the A220 that we’re excited to share. From its distinctive exterior and cockpit design, accurately recreated by our 3D team, to the quirks throughout its systems and avionics, the aircraft is full of details that set it apart.
One highlight is the 3D terrain map, supported by a custom compression algorithm and designed to faithfully represent the system found in the real A220. The Synaptic A220 also features a sophisticated graphical flight-planning system that allows pilots to modify their route directly through the navigation display – including creating holds, defining crossing constraints, rerouting, and much more.
We’ve also modelled a good amount of interactive circuit breakers, both physically within the cockpit and digitally through the aircraft’s displays. These are integrated directly into the A220’s deep electrical-system simulation, meaning that interacting with them produces the appropriate effects across the aircraft.
Even the soundscape is distinctive, particularly the A220 engine’s recognizable “whale howl,” which we’re excited to reproduce in the simulator. Combined with the accurately modelled autoflight behavior and other core systems, there will be plenty for users to discover both inside and outside the cockpit.
What were some of the most interesting challenges you had to overcome during development of the A220?
Shaye Garg: Because the A220 was our first aircraft-development project, one of our greatest challenges was the steep learning curve involved in reproducing such a complex modern airliner. As our knowledge, experience, and standards grew, we often reached a point where improving the existing work was no longer enough – we needed to start again and rebuild it properly.
This has affected nearly every part of the aircraft. We rebuilt the 3D model from the ground up to achieve the accuracy and level of detail we wanted while taking full advantage of Microsoft Flight Simulator’s capabilities. The aircraft’s systems and avionics have similarly undergone several substantial rewrites as our understanding of both the real A220 and software architecture evolved.
Although those rebuilds significantly expanded the project’s scope, each one produced a more accurate, robust, and maintainable result. Learning when to refine existing work and when to rebuild it entirely has been one of the project’s most difficult and most valuable lessons.
What excites you most about the A220?
Harsh Duba: What excites us most is how different the A220 feels to fly and operate compared with more conventional Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Its distinctive systems, avionics, and operating flows give pilots something genuinely new to learn, making it an interesting and rewarding aircraft to fly.
Beyond the aircraft itself, we’re excited to see how the community receives it. After years of development, the prospect of finally placing such a unique and modern airliner into the hands of thousands of flight simmers is incredibly rewarding. We’re also looking forward to supporting and expanding the A220 well into the future, guided by feedback from the community and the continued evolution of the simulator.
The Synaptic Simulations / iniBuilds A220 Airliner is available now from the Microsoft Flight Simulator in-sim Marketplace for USD 64.99.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is available for XBOX Series X|S and XBOX on PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows, and Steam, PlayStation 5, and on supported mobile phones, tablets, and lower-spec PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. For the latest information on Microsoft Flight Simulator, stay tuned to @MSFSOfficial on X (formerly known as Twitter) or visit our website at: www.flightsimulator.com.
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Xbox Game Studios
$199.99
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· Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator.
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Xbox Game Studios
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Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Premium Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 25 additional aircraft and 10 additional handcrafted international airports.
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· Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses.
· Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment.
Advanced Simulation
· Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism.
· New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion.
· Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator.
Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin
· Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet.
· Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences.
· The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.
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Xbox Game Studios
$99.99
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Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Deluxe Edition includes everything from the Standard Edition plus 10 additional aircraft and 5 additional handcrafted international airports.
Fly with Purpose
· Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet.
· Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses.
· Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment.
Advanced Simulation
· Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism.
· New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion.
· Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator.
Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin
· Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet.
· Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences.
· The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 – Standard Edition
Xbox Game Studios
$69.99
$55.99
Explore the world with our largest fleet of aircraft and take simulation to new heights while pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. The Standard Edition includes over 65 aircraft and 150 handcrafted airports.
Fly with Purpose
· Launch your aviation Career wherever you choose in the world. Gain experience, build your reputation, and complete certifications to gain access to authentic aviation activities ranging from Medevac, Remote Cargo Ops, Aerial Firefighting, Search & Rescue and more, all the way to becoming an Airline Passenger Transport Pilot. Set out on a truly global aviation adventure with virtually unlimited missions across the planet.
· Compete against other pilots in the all-new Challenge League mode or hone your skills in dozens of Activities ranging from exciting Rally Races and Precision Landings to Low-Altitude challenges and more. Fly head-to-head in the iconic Red Bull Air Races and the legendary Reno Air Races, including the new Roswell courses.
· Be a World Photographer and travel across our beautiful planet to capture awe-inspiring natural vistas, visit famous landmarks, and record these adventures with pictures in your travel book. Unique photo challenges test your creative eye along with your piloting skills while you strive to capture the perfect moment.
Advanced Simulation
· Enhanced physics system allows 10,000+ rigid-body surfaces that enable the simulation of any shape of aircraft. Soft body physics supports cloth, ropes, balloons, and more. Improved ground and water handling further enhance realism.
· New, highly accurate aircraft systems including electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic systems, payload and passenger systems, and avionics like the Universal UNS-1 FMS and Honeywell Primus Epic 2. Preflight inspections and walkaround checks add to immersion.
· Plan your flights with a groundbreaking flight planner which supports both IFR and VFR map layers, IFR charts, route planning, fuel and payload planning, vertical profile planning, and ETOPS planning. It also provides airport information including weather and NOTAMS and is available native in the sim, on mobile devices or web browsers for flight planning outside the simulator.
Explore Our Visually Stunning Digital Twin
· Explore our most detailed re-creation of planet Earth to date. Enhanced digital elevation maps, over 500 TIN (triangular irregular network) cities and more than 100,000 square kilometers of countryside photogrammetry allow for visually stunning digital twin experiences. More than 150 airports, 2,000 glider airports, 10,000 heliports, 2,000 points of interest, and 900 oil rigs have been carefully hand-crafted while a procedural system generates all 40,000 airports, 80,000 helipads, 1.5 billion buildings, and nearly 3 trillion trees our planet.
· Land anywhere and, for the first time in Microsoft Flight Simulator, exit your aircraft to explore 27 highly detailed biomes with hundreds of species of vegetation, dynamically created details including grass, rocks, and flowers – all influenced by seasonal changes. The all-new photometric lighting system renders the world more accurately than ever before, and enhanced weather features such as new cloud types, auroras, and other weather phenomena produce fresh and compelling atmospheric experiences.
· The world comes alive with a vast array of land-based wildlife in their natural habitats and free-ranging livestock across the entire globe. The oceans and waterways are teeming with live, worldwide maritime traffic ranging from large tankers and cargo ships to trawlers, tugs, and more. A richly diverse, regionally accurate representation of humanity brings life to the airports, aircraft, and passenger cabins of the world. Enhanced real-world air traffic populates the skies and airport tarmacs with hundreds of accurately depicted aircraft models and dozens of officially licensed liveries.
The post A Microsoft Flight Simulator Cinderella Story: Building the A220 Airliner appeared first on XBOX Wire.
