From Discord Dream to Digital Cockpit: The A220 Takes Flight

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has welcomed a highly detailed recreation of the A220, developed by Synaptic Simulations in partnership with iniBuilds and released through the in-game Marketplace.

The project began around 2020 and 2021 as a community-led freeware initiative involving aviation and flight-simulation enthusiasts who connected through Discord and Reddit. A smaller core group eventually formed Synaptic Simulations and transformed the ambitious hobby project into its first professional aircraft release.

The development team consists of eight creators working across systems programming, avionics, 3D modelling and visual production. Many of them were only 16 or 17 years old when development began and later pursued education and careers in engineering, computer science and software development.

The simulated aircraft includes a detailed exterior, passenger cabin and flight deck, alongside advanced electrical systems and interactive circuit breakers. Activating or disabling these components can produce corresponding effects throughout the aircraft’s simulated systems.

Pilots can use a 3D terrain display and a graphical flight-planning system that supports route changes directly through the navigation display. The system allows users to create holding patterns, define crossing constraints and reroute the aircraft during a flight.

iniBuilds contributed additional production support, including textures, liveries, cabin details, animations, a custom sound package and a dedicated Electronic Flight Bag. The aircraft also recreates the A220 engine’s recognizable whale-like sound.

Synaptic Simulations rebuilt major parts of the aircraft several times as the team’s technical knowledge and quality standards improved. The 3D model, systems architecture and avionics underwent extensive revisions to achieve greater accuracy and reliability.

The Synaptic Simulations and iniBuilds A220 is available now through the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace for $64.99, offering aviation enthusiasts a complex modern airliner with distinctive systems and operating procedures.