Dear Asobo Team,
I’m writing to you today from Piikajärvi, Finland, filled with excitement about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and beyond. As an avid simmer and someone deeply connected to the real-world gliding community (my own grandpa is the “boss” of the aero club that owns a PIK-15 Hinu, registration OH-YHG, which flies daily here!), I’ve been thinking about a truly unique and immersive addition that I believe would resonate powerfully with the sim community:
Introducing the PIK-15 Hinu as a new aircraft, alongside a dedicated “Glider Towing Operations” career job.
Let me explain why I believe this combination is a perfect fit for the future of MSFS:
- The Aircraft: The PIK-15 Hinu (and why OH-YHG is the perfect example)
The PIK-15 Hinu is not just another utility aircraft; it’s a purpose-built glider tug with a fascinating history. Designed in Finland, it embodies efficiency and ruggedness for its specialized role.
- Unique Profile: Its low-wing, fixed-gear, and side-by-side cockpit design offer a distinctive look and feel not commonly found in the sim.
- Authentic Towing Platform: This aircraft was made for towing. Its climb performance, low-speed handling, and excellent visibility are precisely what a tow pilot needs.
- Cultural & Historical Depth: It adds a piece of aviation history from a country with a strong soaring tradition.
- The OH-YHG Story: Our club’s OH-YHG, while based on a 1960s design, was actually lovingly built in 2008. This makes it a “modern classic” – a testament to a timeless, effective design. You can see from the cockpit photos I’ve shared, it’s a blend of classic gauges and modern radios, and it’s kept in immaculate condition by the club. This blend of heritage and ongoing operation makes it incredibly appealing.
- The Job: Dedicated “Glider Towing Operations” in Career Mode
This is where the magic truly happens. Imagine a career path dedicated solely to the art of towing gliders, adding a completely new gameplay loop that offers depth and unique challenges:
- The Workflow:
- You’d start the Hinu at a designated airfield (like Piikajärvi!).
- Taxi to the runway and request the AI glider to hook up the tow rope.
- Execute a precise takeoff, feeling the weight and drag of the glider behind you.
- Climb to a specified altitude (say, 500-700 meters AGL, or perhaps higher, based on the job) while coordinating with your AI glider (visual cues or subtle AI control by the glider).
- Witness the AI glider release the tow rope.
- Then comes the unique “tow plane circuit” – flying a pattern and executing a precise low pass to drop the tow cable on a designated marker near the runway end.
- Finally, land and taxi back to parking, ready for the next tow.
- Skill Development: This job isn’t just about flying from A to B. It would challenge players to master:
- Power Management: Getting a loaded aircraft airborne efficiently.
- Formation Flying: Maintaining precise position relative to the glider.
- Precision Flying: The critical cable drop maneuver.
- Situational Awareness: Constantly monitoring the glider and airfield.
- Immersion & Realism: This level of detail would be incredibly immersive for anyone passionate about general aviation and soaring. It’s a behind-the-scenes role that is fundamental to gliding.
- Replayability & Economy: The job could offer variable contracts:
- Single tows vs. multiple gliders per session.
- Different glider types (heavier performance gliders requiring more power).
- Varying target altitudes and weather conditions (e.g., crosswinds making it trickier).
- Performance bonuses for accuracy (cable drop) and smooth flying. This would provide a robust and rewarding in-game economy.
The Synergy: PIK-15 Hinu + Glider Towing Job = Unforgettable Experience
Bringing these two elements together would create a truly compelling and specialized experience in MSFS 2024. It taps into a unique aspect of aviation that is often overlooked in simulators but is brimming with engaging gameplay potential.
As someone who sees OH-YHG flying almost every day here in Piikajärvi, I can tell you there’s a real passion for this kind of flying. I believe this addition would be incredibly popular within the sim community, particularly among those who appreciate realism, unique aircraft, and new career challenges.
Thank you for considering this idea. I genuinely believe it would be a fantastic addition to the evolving world of Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Warm regards,
A passionate flight simmer and gliding enthusiast.
Please: vote if you like or want my idea to the game!