Digital Aeronautics has confirmed that their promising Mi-2 Hoplite for Microsoft Flight Simulator will be available on 23 April, exclusively through simMarket. Pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, though the developer says that’s coming before launch.
If you’ve been following our coverage of this project, you’ll know this is a debut release for the studio, and that they’ve been particularly thorough in their preparation. Ahead of the release date, Digital Aeronautics has shared the most complete breakdown yet of what the product includes, and there’s quite a bit worth going through.
The exterior model was built using photogrammetry and photo scanning techniques, with thousands of reference photos taken at real airfields. The level of detail the developer claims is notable: over 6,000 individual rivets, hatches, and fuselage elements were placed by hand. The release will ship with 10 liveries covering Eastern European and former Soviet Union operators, reflecting the Mi-2’s real-world history as a versatile workhorse with over 5,400 units produced across civilian and military roles.
Inside the cockpit, every switch and button is clickable, with instruments animated and illuminated by authentic night lighting. The sounds were recorded exclusively from a real Mi-2 helicopter, covering the full range of ground and flight operations, with dynamic audio that reacts based on the listener’s position relative to the source.
On the more unusual end, Digital Aeronautics has included the ability to shoot signal flares and deploy smoke for aerobatic performances, a nice touch that goes beyond the usual feature checklist.
VR users are also taken care off. The Mi-2 is confirmed as fully VR-compatible. Flight controls can be operated using VR controllers alone, and for those using FSUIPC, lever customisation is available via the LocalVars list. On the performance side more broadly, Digital Aeronautics says testing on high-end hardware, specifically a Ryzen 9950x3d paired with an RTX 5080 at ultra settings, maintained frame rates comparable to default aircraft at standard airports.
The initial release targets MSFS 2020 only, though development of a separate MSFS 2024 version is already underway. The developer has described the 2024 edition as a standalone product rather than a port, with deeper system changes planned. Distribution at launch will be through simMarket, as their Microsoft Marketplace application has apparently been in review since October 2024.
It’s worth noting the Mi-2 has had a long wait for a quality payware option in MSFS. We covered Axonos’s announcement of their own Mi-2 back in 2024, but that project has gone quiet. Digital Aeronautics now looks set to be the one that actually delivers.
