How Microsoft Flight Simulator is Keeping a Ukrainian Dream Alive

I’m a big fan of airplanes. Large ones, small ones, medium sized… Each one is extraordinary in their own way when you take a step back and consider how incredible it is that these manmade machines can conquer the sky. There have been thousands of unique aircraft designs that have taken flight; the SR-71 “Blackbird” for its otherworldly look, the P-38 “Lightning” with its unique H-shaped design, and the iconic B-17 “Flying Fortress” which lives up to its namesake as a literal fortification in the sky, are some personal favorites. But none have been quite as impressive as the Antonov An-225, affectionately known as “Mriya.”

Designated as the An-225, since it could carry up to a colossal 225 tons of cargo, the Mriya (which translates to “dream” in Ukrainian) was the largest and heaviest aircraft in the world. Originally created to transport the Buran-class orbiters in the 1980s before being retrofitted to carry oversized payloads, it housed six turbofan engines across its immense wingspan, two large vertical stabilizers, and a 32-wheel landing gear assembly — there was truly nothing like it.

Needless to say, it was upsetting when news broke in early 2022 that the only existing Mriya was destroyed during the Battle of Antonov Airport, at the outset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The team I was hearing the news from had already left. Microsoft Flight Simulator With an ambitious goal to not only recreate the aircraft in the simulator but also to restore the original Mriya to its former glory, the team was pushing forward. I wanted to find out more. Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann, shortly after the announcement of the aircraft’s launch in Microsoft Flight SimulatorClick here to learn more about the amazing project.

“There was an outcry in the flight sim community that day [February 27, 2022] and all of us were really affected by the news,” Jorg recounts upon first hearing of Mriya’s destruction. “In our team meeting, there was an outpouring of sadness and shock. Personally, it struck me deeply as the Mriya had also been a symbol of mankind’s ingenuity… it was in that meeting that I quite emotionally said we need to preserve the memory of this great aircraft in our sim.”

“Personally, it struck me deeply as the Mriya had also been a symbol of mankind’s ingenuity.”

Jorg reached out via LinkedIn to Dmytro Antonov, Chief Pilot of Antonov Airlines and then met with Dmytro Antonov. While no one was available in Ukraine to discuss digital preservation of An-225 at that point, Alexander Matsko, one of their key contacts, supported the idea of Mriya being brought into Ukraine. Microsoft Flight Simulator.

“It was delightful news for us, considering the high professional level of the Microsoft team and their high international reputation,” described Deputy General Director for Ukraine’s Antonov Airlines Viktor Avdieiev, upon hearing the news that Microsoft was trying to bring the An-225 back in a flight simulator. “This aircraft occupied a special place in global aviation history; no such other plane exists… Thanks to this product, many people get to know this powerful bird and will love it as we do.”

“We kept in touch over the tumultuous months,” Jorg described. “[Matsko]Antonov Company was our next introduction. He really helped to make this possible. Ubaid from iniBuilds was a good friend of mine and had just finished an impressive rendition of the Airbus A310-300. I reached out to him. He and his team of experts were equally enthusiastic, and work began shortly thereafter.”

IniBuilds’ 17-member team brought the An-225 to fruition. Microsoft Flight Simulator. You can really get a sense of the passion they poured into the finished product because it’s such an extremely hyper-detailed recreation of the Antonov An-225, and players can now experience it on both Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC.

“This aircraft occupied a special place in global aviation history; no such other plane exists.”

“They [iniBuilds] did lots of online research initially, and collected open questions in a detailed list that was then sent to Antonov,” Jorg told me. “Antonov filled in all the blanks, which is why we were able to reach such a high degree of authenticity.”

“The specialists had the opportunity to visit Mr. Antonov and several other Antonov Company engineers in Leipzig, where they flew the digital plane together,” Avdieiev describes. “Antonov Company provided the original recordings of the An-225, and An-124’s engines were recorded to make digital Mriya sound realistic.”

iniBuilds received the support of both the Antonov Company as well as Mr. Dmitry Antonov (the Chief Pilot of the An-225). Jorg and his crew were also helped by the video series that Mr. Antonov made. It was full of amazing detail, which allowed them to get started with digital re-creation. The team also got to know other details when they met Antonov pilots in Leipzig for a testing session.

“It was truly an enlightening experience talking to the pilots who flew the Antonov An-225,” Jorg said. “The most unique point we learned was understanding the handling characteristics of such a unique large aircraft! We were able to fly the aircraft as closely to real life thanks to their feedback. Microsoft Flight Simulator.”

Antonov pilots provided valuable insight to the team about the different areas and their uses. The pilots of Antonov An-225 advised the team that because it was such an unusual aircraft, the Antonov An-225 had its own Towbar for safe maneuvering out any airports around the world. The simulator had one of these towbars, and you can see it in the cargo bay. Microsoft Flight Simulator.

“What if they could bring Mriya… back to life?”

The team is at Microsoft Flight Simulator The digital simulation of an aircraft was not enough. What if they could bring Mriya… back to life? That’s when discussions with the Antonov Company went deeper on how they could find a way to help contribute to the rebuilding of this aircraft.

“We decided to give 100% of the gross receipts from the sale of the digital An-225 for one year after launch directly to Antonov Company so the money could be used to rebuild the An-225.” Jorg said. “If Antonov determines that rebuilding isn’t feasible, then the funds can alternatively be used to create a memorial to the plane.”

The proceeds from the DLC in-game will be used to rebuild the An-225. This is currently the only way that the sim community and gamers can help this cause. Still, it’s a lofty goal and if it doesn’t come to fruition, there are plans to find other ways to honor the aircraft’s legacy.

“We did not set a minimum donation but instead opted to give Antonov all the money we receive. It is our desire to restore the national treasure of Ukraine to its former glory, and to highlight Ukraine’s resilience. So far, we’re thrilled with the reaction from the simmer community.”

“We feel strongly that we want to help restore a national treasure to its former glory and highlight the resilience of Ukraine.”

Jorg was asked what his hopes are for the enjoyment of this experience in piloting such a unique aircraft. Microsoft Flight SimulatorJorg responded with insight.

“The Mriya is not just the world’s heaviest plane that broke, and still holds, a large amount of aviation records. As with much of [the aviation community]It is a symbol of what humans can accomplish. Although the dream of flying dates back to ancient times, it was achieved over many centuries by great minds all around the world. It was and still is a landmark in aviation history as well as in human creativity. I hope simmers will appreciate the engineering marvel of this aircraft and dream that the Mriya will one day fly in our skies again.”