Contrail, best known in the flight simulation world as a marketplace and add-on management platform, is now entering a new phase. During FlightSimExpo 2025 in Providence, Lars Pinkenburg from Contrail took the stage to announce the company’s first in-house aircraft project: the FA50 (Dassault Falcon 50).
This marks a huge step for Contrail, which until now has primarily focused on distribution, offering a storefront and desktop app that simplifies the purchase and management of MSFS add-ons. Now, the company is joining the ranks of aircraft developers.
Introducing the FA50
During Friday’s announcements at this year’s FSExpo, Lars revealed the iconic trijet business jet from the 1970s and 80s corporate aviation world, known for its versatility and transoceanic range.
The announcement was accompanied by a trailer that showcased the aircraft in the Portuguese Air Force livery, which is a perfect example of the Falcon 50’s real-world service in governmental and military operations.
According to Lars, the aircraft features:
- An endurance of up to 7 hours, enabling nonstop transatlantic flights, such as New York to London—“in favor of the weather,” as he cautiously put it.
- A typical cruise speed of Mach 0.76.
- A service ceiling of 49,000 feet, well above typical airliner altitudes.
- The ability to operate from short runways and high-altitude airports, a hallmark of the Falcon 50’s design.
Custom avionics confirmed
Contrail confirms that the aircraft will feature custom avionics, including:
- The GNS XLS flight management computer.
- The Apollo MX20 multifunction display.
- The Collins EFIS suite.
- A fully custom Collins autopilot.
These systems aim to replicate the specific blend of analog and early-glass cockpit technology typical of the Falcon 50’s era.
Release plans
Contrail is targeting a release in 2025, with the aircraft being built for both Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. Pricing has yet to be finalized, though Lars stated it will be positioned “fairly.”
